Wekerle CIHR Team - Picturing Wellness: From Adversity to Resilience

Picturing Wellness: From Adversity to ResilienceWekerle C, Obeda M, Zeraatkar D

Gargoyles, Michael Parkes

Overview

• Child maltreatment is a global health and social problem• Mandatory reporting of suspected cases of child maltreatment by clinicians is:• A) A professional duty mandated by the Child and Family Services Act; and • B) An opportunity for early help to children and families and violence prevention.

• Problem: Insufficient evidence-based training! • 55.5% of students reported receiving no training in child abuse/neglect (Needs

Assessment Survey, McMaster University)

• Child Assessment and Advocacy Program + McMaster Museum of Art -> arts- and case-based curriculum on identifying and managing cases of child maltreatment for medical undergraduates

Agenda

•Principles of Art Observation and Interpretation• Importance of Child Maltreatment Education•Course Concept•Participant’s Perspective•Closing Remarks •Q&A

Dr. Christine Wekerle

• Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University• Child Assessment and Advocacy Program

(CAAP)• Developed course concept and facilitated

case-based child maltreatment teaching

Dr. Michael Obeda

• First-year Family Medicine resident at Queen’s University• Honors specialization in genetics and

biochemistry from The University of Western Ontario• Medical Degree at McMaster University• Course participant

Child Maltreatment and Art:A participant’s take-away

Dr. Michael ObedaPGY1 Queen’s University department of Family Medicine

Child Maltreatment in the medical curriculum

• MF1 - 13 weeks.• 18 month old boy with a swollen and tender knee (hemophilia)

Youth with a history suspicious for narcotic overdose

Child Maltreatment in the medical curriculum

• MF2 - 9 weeks.• One year old girl with a socially vulnerable mother who has

nutrition concerns• Obese 12 year old

Child Maltreatment in the medical curriculum

• MF3 - 9 weeks.• 15 year old girl who drinks, smokes, is sexually active.

Child Maltreatment in the medical curriculum• MF4 - 9 weeks.

Child Maltreatment in the medical curriculum

• MF5 - 12 weeks.• 8 year old boy with violent behaviours at school

Child Maltreatment in the medical curriculum• Clerkship• 1.25 hours - Lecture in Pediatrics rotation• 3 hours - tutorial with some emphasis on maltreatment

reporting

Content of the course

• Readings

• Discrepancies between frequency of abuse and reporting of abuse

• Signs of abuse

• Interview techniques

• Mandatory reporting

• Maintaining a relationship with patients

Content of the course

• Art Appreciation• Readings - basic approach• Homework• In-person instruction and group discussion

Content of the course

• Interpretation of images• Using the art appreciation techniques learned• Clue seeking• Maintaining “What else could it be” mindframe

The impact on me

• Mandatory reporting - increased confidence• Improved interview skills• More likely to consider maltreatment in the differential

diagnosis

Other benefits

• Observational skills in clinic• Improved appreciation of art• Improved personal wellness

QUESTIONS?

Ms. Nicole Knibb

•Art Educator •McMaster Museum of Art• Facilitated arts-based teaching

What is art?“Art…Is a world that runs constant and parallel to ours where we imagine different

futures – millions of them – and try them on for size.”Caitlin Moran

• Art is, basically, a visual means of communication.• Art is a necessary way for humans to understand themselves and

the universe.• Art captures the significance of both the individual and the cultural.• Humans have a vital and persistent need to create art and is an

ever-present part of human experience.• Our imaginations function as a survival mechanism.

The Elements and Principles of Art

The Elements

ColourShape/Form

LineSpace

Texture

The Principles

BalanceEmphasisMovement