Digital. Remote. Connected. Arts therapies in the North.

In light of technological innovations, health and care are becoming increasingly digitalised, with interventions translated into eHealth and digital therapeutics. While digitalisation of healthcare poses a myriad of questions of ethical and pragmatic nature, opportunities it creates for therapy and wellbeing should not be overlooked. Technology enables access to therapy for remote populations, does not necessarily reduce human contact, and could arguably add value to treatment and recovery. What does this mean for arts therapies practice?

In this presentation, we will consider whether and how arts therapies could make use of digital technology to reach clients living remotely and in what areas, if any, innovation might extend the tool box of arts therapists. We will introduce the work of the Digital Health academic team in the Scottish Highlands and present the findings of our scoping review documenting the growing research evidence around the use of technology in arts therapies. We will outline a feasibility study aiming to explore the views of arts therapists practicing in remote areas and their clients. Finally, we will invite conversation between the Nordic countries on exploring ways in which to connect technology and therapy for the benefit of clients, therapists and the ageing populations living remotely.