Poetry in Healthcare
There is a study that is questioning if poetry would be an aide to patients that are in long-term care and having serious illnesses, including some in palliative care (meaning their pain is being managed, as there is no cure option). The evaluation is considering if the strength, hope, memories enhanced by the connection and intended ambiguity of poetry has value in providing means for greater connection and communication. They are evaluating the prospect of overall improvement in patient/doctor relationship. The study is evaluating the time-cost versus the benefits for the patients as well as opportunity to reduce physician burn-out.
My personal belief is that poetry can create a level of personal reflection and introspection that removes a person, at least for a time, out of the trials of the moment, distancing themselves some from pain, enabling a journey inward in a way that few things can. Similar to formal prayers, which is a form of poetry that seeks to find a spiritual link between our inner-self (soul) and God, poetry could improve the understanding, and insight into our inner-self. Exploring the human experience in poetry brings us closer to inner-self that is the inextricable connection of our physical, emotional, phycological-self, as well as our spiritual-selves. Prior to the majority of the population being able to read, poetry in the form of lyrical prayer or hymns were a means to enable spiritual soul introspection whenever and wherever it was needed. The lyrical nature of prayer makes it easier to take it with you. Today, maybe poetry too will provide both some healing value, as well as improved human connection between physician and patient. Or more broadly between patient and caregivers.