Date of Award

Spring 5-2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

EVMS School of Health Professions

Program/Concentration

Art Therapy & Counseling

Committee Director

Sarah Deaver

Committee Member

Tracy Councill

Committee Member

Anna Carmela Sagcal

Abstract

Miscommunication between physicians and child patients about perceived pain results in problems with diagnosis and treatment of childhood illness. This study used an art therapy-based approach to explore physician perceptions and understanding of child patients’ pain as compared to the pediatric patients’ perceptions of their own pain. Body Outline Forms (BOFs) and Magnified Pain Drawings (MPDs) (Barton, 1995) were completed by participants, and compared using a qualitative content analysis. Visual results reflected a difference in perception of pain by the physician and child participants in areas of color, size, shape, location, and movement. Verbal results collected from the physician participant indicated BOFs as being useful in strengthening communication between physicians and pediatric patients, assisting with the ability for better recall, and fostering a better understanding of the patient’s complaints. Results suggested that the use of BOFs in pediatric medical settings would assist physicians in better understanding pediatric patients’ symptoms in regard to pain.

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In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/q0c0-7503

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