Browsing by Person "Burns, Jane"

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An interpretive description of the patterns of practice of arts therapists working with older people who have Dementia in the UK
(Queen Margaret University, 2009) Burns, Jane
In recent years there has been growing interest in arts therapy work with older people who have dementia. This has happened despite a paucity of UK research and writing on the aims of practice. Furthermore, there is little knowledge about the professional background of practitioners, the client group, care settings, theories and methods underpinning their work. This qualitative mapping study employs a methodology from nursing called interpretive description (Thorne et al. 2004). Interpretive description advocates a pluralistic approach for understanding the complex dialogue between clinical and research knowledge. The research design involved thirty-one semi-structured interviews with arts therapists from art therapy, music therapy, dramatherapy and dance movement therapy, participant observations of thirteen care settings and formal and informal interviews with ten medical/care staff who work with the arts therapists. The descriptive map was analysed using template analysis (King, 1998) and was interpreted using an integrative interpretive analysis (Heidegger, 1927; Smith et al.1999) The findings suggest that many arts therapists are pioneers in terms of being the first from their profession to work in the care setting. Issues around the arts therapists being unheard and staying unheard relate to their newness within these established settings. In terms of therapy work, theory and practice were being adapted in order to accommodate the temporal nature of the work. Despite distinctions in the art form, the study found that there is reciprocity of experience in terms of the arts therapists' feelings about the work and some in-session practices. These united the disciplines beyond the norms of mainstream practice.
Art therapy with the older person: One life, many losses
(Routledge, 2018) Burns, Jane; Zubala, Ania; Karkou, Vicky
Articulating expertise and professional artistry: New methodological principles for critical creative research
(SAGE, 2019-08-01) Kinsella, Niamh; Pentland, Duncan; McCormack, Brendan; Burns, Jane
This poster presents a critical perspective of a methodology for research that facilitates articulation of professional artistry and expertise in practice with persons living with dementia. This critical perspective was developed during research which intended to explore the principles and philosophy underpinning professional artistry or expert practice with occupational therapists. Existing literature in occupational therapy reflects a concern with developing and expressing the principles of professional artistry, practice expertise and professional judgement (Mattingly 1991, Turner and Alsop 2015) for the purpose of raising consciousness of the value of occupational therapy and supporting development of role clarity and professional identity (Unsworth and Baker 2016). The argument that there is a need to develop research methodologies that support articulation of artistry and expertise related to professional philosophies will be presented in this poster. The case for research strategies incorporating critical creativity (McCormack and Titchen 2006) and creative methods as a way of articulating practice principles that are often deeply embodied in a practitioner’s being will be presented in this poster. A critical creative case study methodology will be described, and reflective dialogue about this critique facilitated with poster viewers. The key messages presented in this poster are: philosophical and methodological principles of creativity can facilitate expression of expert knowledge that is inherently tacit and embodied; and incorporating such principles facilitates practice development and research that is consistent with, and reflective of, our professional philosophy.
Creativity in retirement: Psychosocial experiences of recently retired people participating in a creative arts project
(SAGE, 2020-07-22) Burns, Jane; Oliver, Sue; Karkou, Vicky
Aims: A growing body of research literature features the provision of arts experiences for the older person but less attention has been given to those who are in the early years of retirement. This qualitative study aims to contribute to the existing field through exploring the contribution that creativity, in the form of active participation in the arts, can make upon the older person’s transition to retirement. Methods: A total of 15 recently retired people in a Scottish town were invited to participate in a qualitative project which explored, using the creative arts, the participants’ psychological and social experiences during this period of transition. The emphasis was on participants’ active, rather than passive, involvement in different art modalities. An action research methodology was adopted, involving a circular flexible design. Qualitative information was generated through focus groups, participant observations and group discussions with participants attending arts workshops. Participants were also invited to record their thoughts and observations anonymously in written form. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Two co-researchers, who were recently retired people from outside the community, took part as participant observers. Results: Key findings indicated that the need to feel challenged and stimulated was paramount for feelings of wellbeing. The feeling of belonging to a community was considered important and could be derived from creative arts activities. Psychological and social benefits of arts participation were derived from active participation, primarily in creating original work. Conclusion: Participants had disparate experience of arts but were united in their search for creative fulfilment. Implications for appropriate provision were considered.
Involving Older People Collaborative Research Project - The older persons' experiences of creativity in relation to wellbeing: a collaborative research project
(Quenn Margaret University, 2008-09) Burns, Jane; Oliver, Sue; Karkou, Vicky
Executive Summary - Although there is evidence that creativity might be linked with older persons' wellbeing, there are few published studies that systematically explore the experiences of people who have recently retired. The few available studies stress the value of engagement of older persons within the first 5 years after retirement (Withnall and Thompson 2003) and their preference for active participation in creative projects dealing with issues that affect their lives (Bennets et al 2005). Some positive outcomes from engaging with the arts include: expression of feelings and thoughts, sensory stimulation and improvement of self-esteem (McMurray 1989). - This collaborative study aimed to explore the experiences of older persons who had recently retired in relation to engagement in the creative arts and identifying any links between participation in the arts and wellbeing. In order to address this aim an action research methodology was adopted that involved a circular flexible design. A research team based at Queen Margaret University (QMU) and two co-researchers, older persons based in the community, led the study. Qualitative information was generated from 15 co-participants (older persons recently retired based in East Lothian and the wider community) through interviews, participant observations and discussions/reflections. Co-participants were also invited to participate in and reflect upon creative arts workshops that were particularly designed for this project. Collected information was analysed using thematic analysis. - Key findings from this study were that the feeling of belonging to a community was important. Most co-participants liked a wide choice of arts activities and were often introduced to new ideas by their friends. They sought sustained, in-depth art experiences where they felt challenged and stimulated, rather than short, superficial courses; some like to strive towards a finished product and were critical about their own achievements, while for others, taking part was more important. The stimulation of new forms of creativity was perceived to be beneficial to mental and physical wellbeing, but the activities had to be fun as well.
The patterns of practice of art therapists with older people who have dementia
(2007) Burns, Jane; Karkou, Vicky; Nicol, Maggie; Blair, S.