ABOUT US
Creative Clinic is a virtual space in which doctors can explore creativity and the arts with a focus on personal growth and wellbeing.
Championing Creativity
Unleashing Ideas
​At Creative Clinic we hope to champion creativity as a wellbeing tool for doctors, share ideas and offer opportunities for creativity, build an inclusive and encouraging space for fully fledged creatives and curious new faces alike.
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We aim to do this by creating ‘sharing spaces’, through social media, guest blogs, submission slots and open mic events so that you can share your ideas and creations.
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We also want to challenge the myth that creativity = ‘good at art’. We are passionate about creativity being a process, not a product.
Why Creativity?
The role of creative arts inclusion for health is a rapidly expanding area for research, policy and service provision, with government, the World Health Organisation, and various arts organisations all in support.
The benefits of creative outlets to us, as doctors, are the same as those so widely reported for other populations.
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These benefits include:
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Stress reduction – being in the ‘flow state’ of focus and absorption
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Emotional wellbeing – creativity can provide a safe way to explore and process thoughts, feelings and experiences.
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Increased self-esteem and confidence – be it through trying something new, overcoming a challenge or making something for the first time!
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Creating social connections – we’re very sociable at Creative Clinic!
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Physical health benefits – research suggests that creativity confers many physical health benefits too, for example through stress reduction and the positive impact on immune functioning and cardiovascular health, the respiratory benefits of singing, or the benefits of dance on musculoskeletal health.
But I'm not creative!
We believe we are all creative! Most of us have, at some point in our childhoods, climbed into a discarded cardboard box and imagined a rocket, a pirate ship, a sweet shop…
Sometimes the practice of Medicine can seem a little at odds with creativity. We strive for good results and correct answers and, in that context, creativity sounds, well, a little messy! However, many of the skills that we use as doctors such as problem-solving or imagining things from a different perspective, draw on our own creativity.
At Creative Clinic we are passionate about making creativity a tool for wellbeing for all doctors. No prior experience or fancy equipment required!!
Sounds interesting. But I’m too busy!
We get it. For some of us, creative practices do become hobbies that we expand and invest time and resources in. But as a wellbeing tool, creativity doesn’t have to make big demands of you and it is possible to work it in to your routines in the same way as you might a short meditation or a walk around the block. One of the artists we work with has designed workshops using only materials found on a doctor’s desk, think biros and Post-its!
We would love to hear from you if you have a story or idea to share around ‘everyday creativity’.
