Research & Evaluation

At NYC Health + Hospitals, the Arts in Medicine department plays a vital role in supporting the well-being of healthcare workers through innovative programs that integrate art and creative expression into the workplace. As healthcare systems face unprecedented challenges, particularly with worker burnout and retention, our department leverages arts interventions to foster empathy, reduce stress, and enhance connection among staff, ultimately improving the overall culture and resilience of the healthcare environment.

IMPACT: Ways of Knowing

Our research and evaluation strategy is built upon a robust blend of quantitative and qualitative findings, designed to measure the impact of our arts programs on healthcare workers, patients and community.

Impact on Healthcare Workers:
Our arts-based interventions aim to enhance the emotional resilience, empathy, and interpersonal connections of healthcare staff. Feedback from participants consistently reveals that these initiatives help them feel “seen, heard, and cared for,” fostering a stronger sense of emotional well-being and increasing job satisfaction. By nurturing these connections, we are empowering staff to not only thrive in their professional roles but also to provide more compassionate care to patients.

Continuous Improvement:
Through ongoing evaluation and collaboration with leaders across our healthcare facilities, we continuously refine and optimize our initiatives. This iterative approach ensures that our arts programs remain effective and responsive to the evolving needs of our staff, while also building trust and fostering a culture of openness within the healthcare system.

Contributing to Global Thought Leadership:
Our commitment to rigorous research and evaluation positions us at the forefront of the field of arts in healthcare. By contributing valuable insights to the global body of knowledge, we are influencing best practices and shaping thought leadership around the intersection of art, healing, and healthcare systems.

Economic and Cost Benefits:
Arts programs deliver economic value by reducing burnout, improving staff retention, and mitigating the costs associated with turnover and absenteeism. Our data, gathered through surveys and interviews, demonstrates a clear correlation between arts interventions and improved staff well-being—leading to lower turnover costs, fewer sick days, and greater job satisfaction. This return on investment underscores the long-term financial and organizational benefits of integrating the arts into healthcare.

NYC Health + Hospitals participated in the Hospital Murals Evaluation (HoME), a groundbreaking global study led by the Jameel Arts & Health Lab in collaboration with the World Health Organization. This now-completed study examined the impact of murals in healthcare settings, exploring how large-scale visual artworks influence patients, staff, and visitors. The HoME study was conducted across sites in Slovenia, Nigeria, the UK, and the US, offering valuable insights into the role of art in fostering healing environments.

Recently, NYC Health + Hospitals was honored to be featured in The Lancet’s photo essay, which highlighted the transformative power of hospital murals and visual art in healthcare settings. This recognition underscores the significant role that art plays in enhancing the emotional well-being of patients and staff, reaffirming our commitment to integrating the arts into healthcare as a vital component of the healing process.

Find us on Bloomberg Connects; download the free app below. Patients, staff, and the community can learn more about the history and content of the Arts in Medicine Collection and our Programs at NYC Health + Hospitals.