Healthcare interior design can inspire confidence and reduce stress — colors, textures, patterns, artwork and graphics should resonate with patients, families and staff, according to an article on the Medical Design & Construction website.

The National Endowment for the Arts and the Society for Arts In Healthcare brought together 40 experts in medicine, the arts, social services, media, business and government to develop a strategic plan for advancing cultural programming in healthcare, the article said.

Research has demonstrated the benefits of the arts in healthcare in hospitals, nursing homes, senior centers, hospices and other locations within the community and new evidence is emerging that shows these programs also have an economic benefit. 

Data shows that such programs result in patients requiring shorter hospital stays, less medication and having fewer complications — all of which translate to a reduction in healthcare costs. 

Read the article.