Evaluation of an Arts Therapies Approach to Team Development for Non-Acute Healthcare Teams in Low Control and High-Pressure Environments

Where healthcare teams are experiencing substantial and multiple pressures with low team social support, there is evidence of increased depression, anxiety, compassion fatigue and ultimately problems with staff retention and patient care. To address this issue, we co-designed and piloted an arts therapies approach to team development. Medical Research Council (MRC) guidance was used to design a mixed methods evaluation of the programme following the acute phase of COVID-19 pandemic. Two outcome measures were administered, and a qualitative open text survey underwent thematic analysis. We recruited 92 participants for the evaluation;90 completed the open text survey and 42 participants completed the outcome measures. The qualitative analysis produced the following themes: Getting to Know the Team in a Meaningful Way;Creative Expression and Reflection;Communicating and Processing Difficult Feelings and Resistances;More Time For Processing;Practical Problems with Whole Team Engagement;Difficulty Engaging in Creative Exercises;Inclusivity and Equality;Psychological Safety. Quantitative results were significant with indications of changes to team social systems. The results of our study indicate good accessibility, acceptability and effectiveness.

Parental intimate partner violence and abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic: Learning from remote and hybrid working to influence future support.

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated intimate partner violence and abuse. Incidents of intimate partner violence and abuse have increased as a result of household tensions due to enforced coexistence (multiple national lockdowns and working from home practices), economic stress related to loss of income, the disruption of social and protective networks and the decreased access to support services. This study aimed to understand how female survivors of parental intimate partner violence and abuse have experienced the adapted multi-agency response to intimate partner violence and abuse during the pandemic and consider learning from remote and hybrid working to influence future support. METHOD: This study adopted a qualitative research design, utilizing semi-structured interviews and a focus group. Data collection took place between March and September 2021. In total, 17 female survivors of intimate partner violence and abuse took part in the project; we conducted the semi-structured interviews via telephone (n = 9) and conducted an online focus group (n = 8). RESULTS: Findings identified that services for those experiencing intimate partner violence and abuse need to be innovative, flexible and adaptable and 'reach out' to survivors rather than waiting for survivors to 'reach in' and ask for support. Findings show that the digital space highlights 'missed opportunities' for engagement with both professionals and peers and the potential for digital poverty is a key implication, which risks entrenching existing inequalities. CONCLUSION: In-depth consideration needs to be given to the design, delivery and evaluation of online interventions and provision of support to improve access and acceptability of services, maximize their effectiveness and to support the safety of survivors.

Advances for future working following an online dramatherapy group for adults with intellectual disabilities and mental ill health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A service evaluation for Cumbria, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing measures were enforced and the national lockdown underlined our reliance on virtual means as a way to communicate. This new way of interacting highlighted that people with an intellectual disability were a large proportion of a digitally excluded population. Methods: A service evaluation, using a mixed method design in the form of four self-reported outcome measures and qualitative feedback. Findings: Clinical services need to continue when face to face sessions are not possible. Remote groups can be an alternative option not only when self-isolating due to pandemics but when living in remote locations, having physical health problems or excessive expenses and travel costs. Conclusions: Online dramatherapy groups can be a beneficial alternative when face to face groups are not possible or challenging to attend due to access difficulties. Online groups can offer opportunities to meet with peers, build relationships, improve confidence and learn new skills in technology.