Art in a Spanish children's hospital

Abstract

This article aims to present and discuss a case study of humanization through art applied to a children's hospital. Art is considered herein as a resource to improve hospital environments. The experience related to the improvement of these environments took place in the Children's Emergency Unit of the University Hospital in Salamanca (Spain). After describing the context of the case study, some attention will be paid to the phases of the process, emphasizing the aspects linked to the care culture of children and their families, as well as the symbolic dimension of the space and the participation in the experience of diverse professionals. The case study is assessed from different standpoints, but special importance is given to parents’ opinions. Parents rated the service positively and stated that the artists’ intervention had been beneficial for the children's emotional state.

Keywords:

• art
• hospitalized child
• children's
• health service
• environment design
• health facilities
• hospital design and construction