Professor Alex Woywodt, a Renal Consultant at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has recently been recognised for his written work on the impact art can have on the renal community.
The article, titled “Beautiful and effective: what art can do for nephrologists and for our patients”, was published in the journal for Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, and details how artwork can be a useful communication tool with patients.
You can find the article on Oxford Academic - Oxford University Press's academic research platform, which provides access to over 40,000 books and 500 journals.
The article appears here and the Professor explained how he came to write on the subject: “This is one of my most favourite publications, it’s an interesting, niche topic.
“In June, I was invited to the European Renal Association Congress in Milan, where there was an art exhibition on nephrology - paintings and sculptures – and I met some people who also enjoyed it. I got to know Dr Layco from the Philippines, and we shared some aspects of our work, and she said she does some pieces of art around organ donation and transplant, which resonated with me.
“I’ve always been interested in art, although I don’t paint – a distant relative is an artist – but I’d never thought about how it would work in the workplace.”
Alex feels artwork can be a useful communication tool with patients: “I have art in my office, and have always had art around me, but hadn’t really thought about how to use it as more than décor, as a way of communicating or explaining things to patients.
“Art can resonate with people when you find it difficult to communicate through language or culture, it can be a great way to start a difficult conversation.”
There is a stunning example of art at Royal Preston Hospital, with the organ donation tree within a new memorial garden, to honour organ donors and those who lost their lives in the Covid-19 pandemic.
It serves as a tranquil space for quiet contemplation, and Alex added: “The organ donation tree is a focal point for reflection, to sit by the tree and have a coffee. I think it’s beautiful.
“You can also use art in rooms where you may have to break bad news – it may be a grim situation, but people have found art calming, and it lifts the room – it’s better than a grey space.”
He has also discovered an online community who have turned to art: “I have also discovered artists among my patients, and there is a renal arts group on social media – it’s my wish to have my patients contribute to the group and I would love it if they could also contribute works of art – I would love more sculptural work, representing organ donation!
“Overall, I have really enjoyed this work, and we received a lot of response from the renal community when the article appeared online.”
