CPAM COVID-19: Arts Response Online Resources

The Center for Performing Arts Medicine at Houston Methodist is responding to the unique challenges of COVID-19 by deploying the arts in creative ways to support our staff, patients, and the community at large. In addition to patient support, we have identified the unique needs of healthcare workers at this time- both those that are ‘front line’ and those with supporting roles. The list of CPAM Applications Supporting Healthcare Employees and Patients below are examples of art activities CPAM is deploying to relieve stress and anxiety, offer hope and rejuvenation to support healthcare outcomes for employees, patients, and the Hospital community. Many of these activities will also prove supportive and effective for the community at large. Please feel free to share.

CPAM Applications Supporting Healthcare Employees and Patients:

Participatory Employee Arts Enrichment Digital Programs: Opportunities for staff to engage with the arts in a participatory, reflective fashion with the option to share completed arts experiences with fellow employees.

Passive Virtual Arts Interventions Supporting Employee Wellbeing: Programs that allow employees to reflect through the arts without requiring active creation.
Selected Wellness podcasts from Departments of Music Therapy and Academic Development:
Hospital Arts in Health TV Channel 3: At Houston Methodist Hospital, this channel broadcasts 24 hours a day in patient and waiting rooms. At this time, the channel is being repurposed to provide a more specialized and peaceful, healing experience for our patients, especially when we are unable to provide live music broadcasts. The new content ranges from classical music to jazz to plein air painting. All of these videos will also be available on CPAM’s youtube page for all to enjoy.
Weekly Patient Tray Art Activities: Each week new arts activities themed to optimism, hope and refection are placed on patient's food trays as an opportunity for patients to relax while focusing on an activity that allows for creative expression with supplies they have access to in their rooms. The following are examples of activities provided to patients.
Direct Patient Care: In addition to the normal services that our Music Therapy Department provides throughout the hospital, new services in response to COVID-19 have been implemented in palliative care and the team is now providing telemedicine services to patients throughout the hospital system. For more information about CPAM’s Music Therapy Division please contact Jennifer Townsend, Manager: jdtownsend@houstonmethodist.org

Employee Onsite and Printable Art Activities: For our front line and support employees on campus, we have created a variety of music therapy inspired interventions offered in break rooms and at information and front desks throughout the hospital.
CPAM Wellness Brochure