When you initially think of healthcare and the arts, the two fields seem highly disparate. However, studies show that when the arts are integrated into healthcare, both patients and communities experience positive outcomes. Enter: Arts in Medicine (AIM), a nationwide movement adopted by Watson Clinic to improve the health and wellbeing of Lakelanders.
Where it all began
While there are accounts of the arts being integrated into medicinal practices dating back thousands of years, the formal movement began in the 1990s with UF Health Shands and quickly spread nationwide. In 2008, the Watson Clinic Foundation brought the program to Watson Clinic Cancer & Research Center in Lakeland, which treats around 200 patients per month.
Today, more than 50% of clinics and hospitals across the US offer some form of AIM program, though Watson Clinic’s is the only one in all of Polk County.
The mission
Beyond creating positive patient and community outcomes, Watson Clinic’s AIM program is equally focused on cultivating connection through different art forms. Whether providing interactive arts activities for patients during treatment or partnering with community organizations to host workshops for breast cancer survivors, the AIM program serves to create a safe and inclusive space. Here, individuals can unlock their creativity, share their stories, and forge community.
In a 2019 survey, those who participated in Watson Clinic’s AIM program shared that after interacting with creative arts, they overall experienced less pain, stress, and had improved moods.
How to get involved
On Monday, June 10 and Monday, June 17, the AIM program will take part in two Stand Up to Cancer events for women who are affected by breast, endometrial, cervical, and uterine cancers.
Have a talent to share? AIM is regularly seeking volunteers and donations to facilitate its programs, with opportunities available for all ages.
