Art and health: an interface at the service of integrality

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the art practices in health and the possible relation with Integrality. The research used four distinct approaches that interface, were chosen in order to emphasize the plurality of this topic and also because they are practice with greater social impact, they are: Jungian art therapy, gestalt art therapy, doctors of joy and art practices in occupational therapy. For that we conducted a qualitative exploratory study using documentary research performed in the main documents of these approaches. The results conclude that the approaches bolster the following precepts: (1) ethics of health care; (2) autonomy and emancipation -conceptual framework of health promotion; (3) prevention, treatment and rehabilitation; (4) social struggle in confronting the hegemonic models in health, creating spaces for social inclusion. Such precepts found in these practices are consistent with the principles of the notion of Integrality. Through this study it is concluded that art practices are valuable tools for the implementation of Integrality.