Art Therapy to Address Hospital Clinician Burnout

Art Therapy to Address Hospital Clinician Burnout and Psychosocial Distress: a Randomised Controlled Trial

A structured group art therapy intervention, comprising six 60 - 90-minute weekly workshops.

The CHArt group art therapy intervention builds on a 6-week art therapy group intervention piloted with Barts Health oncology and palliative care doctors (Tjasink, M. 2019). It incorporates elements of workshops delivered for staff support by Barts art therapists during the Covid-19 pandemic (Tjasink, M., Stevens, P. 2022).

The intervention is broadly informed by affective neuroscience and evolutionary psychology theories with an emphasis on compassion-focused and resource-oriented therapeutic practice. Whilst the intervention draws on diverse influences, it aligns with the principles of Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT), an integrative, bio-physiological psychological model underpinned by evolutionary theory.

Intervention elements include psycho-education, individual art making, collaborative group art making, art making in pairs, exploring a range of art materials and techniques (including clay, paint, natural objects and non-traditional mark - making materials), art-based grounding exercises and reflective discussion.

The intervention manual was developed by the study's Chief Investigator with input from a group of three art therapy experts (Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) accredited art therapists working in National Health Service (NHS) medical contexts with experience of delivering art therapy - based staff support) and three experts by experience (Health Care professionals with experience of participating in art therapy - based staff support groups at work). Adherence to the intervention will be monitored through two adherence tools (therapist self reported and independent observer).

Inclusion Criteria:

• • Healthcare professional employed in a patient facing clinical role by Barts Health NHS Trust or Barts Bank partners

  • 18 years or older
  • Willing and able to provide informed consent
  • Able to attend the group intervention sessions
  • Moderate to severe risk scored on any of the three MBI - HSS subscales or on the PSS 10:
  • emotional exhaustion score of ≥17, or
  • depersonalization score of ≥7, or
  • personal accomplishment score of ≤ 38 or
  • perceived stress (≥ 14)

Exclusion Criteria:

• • Unwilling or unable to give consent

  • Diagnosed with or treated for a serious depressive condition, a personality disorder or psychosis in the past 12 months. (Self-reporting through screening.)
  • Attempted suicide or made plans to commit suicide in the past 12 months. (Self-reporting through screening.)
  • Individual does not provide direct patient care for Barts Health NHS Trust