The transformative palette: the use of art and Visual Thinking Strategies in nursing

Abstract

Visual Thinking Strategies is a teaching technique initially studied in primary education but recently has been used to teach nursing students and other healthcare professionals. VTS has been found to help participants think and see differently, explore learning in safe environments, and develop ethical competencies. Experiences with VTS can create rich discussions and present opportunities for nurses to talk about issues and concerns that may not always present in the classroom. VTS can provide participants with the ability to explore meanings and engage in conversations about diversity and social determinants of health. This article explores how teachers can use VTS to create meaningful dialogue with participants and relate it to their care of patients.

Keywords:

• Visual thinking strategies
• art
• nursing education
• humanities

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.