In an innovative approach to holistic health care, Neuchâtel, a picturesque town in Switzerland, has embarked on an intriguing venture: offering its inhabitants a unique form of therapy that marries medicine with art appreciation. As people grapple with global challenges and workplace fatigue, Neuchâtel has initiated a program allowing residents to receive museum visits as part of their medical treatment, completely free of charge.
This initiative, set to run for two years initially, permits doctors in the area to write “museum prescriptions” for patients who might reap benefits from spending time in the town’s four museums. Inspired by a 2019 report by the World Health Organization, the project is premised on research indicating that the arts contribute positively to mental health, aid in trauma recovery, and reduce risks associated with cognitive decline and aging.
Art, considered a form of preventive medicine, can bring tranquility to the mind, while the act of visiting museums encourages physical activity, as individuals are required to walk and remain on their feet for extended durations. Julie Courcier Delafontaine, a Neuchâtel council member, noted that the program is partly a response to insights gained during the COVID-19 pandemic, which underscored the importance of cultural venues in enhancing well-being.
To date, about 500 prescription forms have been distributed to physicians in the area, with the program proving cost-efficient at an estimated budget of 10,000 Swiss francs (approximately $11,300). Should it yield positive outcomes, there could be an expansion to include other cultural activities like theater and dance. While Switzerland’s health care system does not currently recognize “culture as therapy,” Courcier Delafontaine remains hopeful that such initiatives will gain acceptance.
Marianne de Reynier Nevsky, who manages cultural initiatives in the town and was instrumental in developing this program, mentioned that it draws inspiration from a similar concept launched at the Fine Arts Museum in Montreal, Canada, in 2019. She emphasized that a broad range of individuals, from those suffering from depression to those with mobility challenges or chronic conditions, could benefit from such prescriptions.
Dr. Marc-Olivier Sauvain, the head of surgery at Neuchâtel Hospital Network, has been prescribing museum visits to patients needing to optimize their health before undergoing surgery. Recognizing the challenge in motivating patients who have grown accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle, Sauvain believes this approach offers a compelling incentive to engage in both physical and cognitive activities.
He expressed enthusiasm about prescribing museum visits, regarding it as a refreshing alternative to the usual medications or medical tests that patients might find less appealing. He envisions this as a constructive way to encourage patients, highlighting that visiting museums is a medically-endorsed activity that can improve their well-being.
Visitors to the museums share similar sentiments, with locals, like poet and retired teacher Carla Fragniere Filliger, acknowledging the initiative as an excellent idea, expressing a wish for museum prescriptions to be available globally. This novel practice in Neuchâtel exemplifies a promising integration of cultural and medical practices, setting a precedent that could transform therapeutic approaches worldwide.