The use of digital apps in relation to art & the long term illness
I have used digital applications (apps) for art work over the last 2 years while coping and adjusting to living with a long term condition called vasculitis.I am sharing my personal experience with digital apps in relation to art and the long-term illness as I have recently been invited to display some of my work at the British Society of Rheumatology (BSR) annual international conference held in Glasgow this April. The following is the link to the BSR patient event.
http://www.rheumatology.org.uk/patient_information/patient_event_2016/default.aspx
The aim is to utilise my work to engage interest in relevant parties towards the therapeutic benefits of creating and the positive impact this form of self expression can have on a person with functional limitations due to Rheumatic conditions affecting joints and muscles. Especially with the use of digital medium, how exploring the creative side to cope with daily challenges can be a constructive as well as an enjoyable pursuit given the plethora of life altering changes brought on by these invisible inflammatory conditions.
Rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders are the biggest cause of the growing burden of disability in the UK, affecting over 10 million adults.1 Research into the role of Art in health promotion, prevention and illness management is growing across the UK and worldwide. Evidence supports creative expression & output can have a favourable effect on self management, supporting wellbeing and providing a personal narrative for people who experience long term conditions.
There's a lot of scope to promote and develop the role of Art in long term illness, its potential therapeutic benefits and the use of digital apps in the non medical approaches to self management - empowering patients to better adapt to long term conditions.
Reference
1. The latest data from April 2015 The State of Play in UK Rheumatology – Insights into service pressures and solutions.- The first major policy report from the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR)
http://www.rheumatology.org.uk/includes/documents/cm_docs/2015/s/stateofplayukrheumatology.pdf
2. Staricoff R, Loppert S. Integrating the arts into health care: Can we affect clinical outcomes?: Kirklin D, Richardson R, editors. The Healing Environment Without and Within London, England: Royal College of Physicians; 2003:63–80
3. Camic PM. Playing in the mud: health psychology, the arts and creative approaches to health care. J Health Psychol 2008;13(2):287–298
4. Stuckey H L, Nobel J. The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health: A Review of Current Literature. Am J Public Health. 2010 February; 100(2): 254–263.
