Patients are being taken on a trip down memory lane, with the help of Flinders University students involved in a unique project at Flinders Medical Centre (FMC).

The Arts in Health at FMC Object Handling Project aims to enrich the stay of patients in hospital by providing the opportunity to handle rare and unique items.

The objects originate from the South Australian Museum, the National Motor Museum and the Migration Museum.

Now in its fourth year, the project features objects such as fossils aged over 500 million years, car badges, artefacts, and marine instruments. The items are placed in front of the patients and they are able to run their fingers over them and learn about their origins.

Arts in Health at FMC Coordinator Sally Francis said the objects provide a sensory experience for the patients and often trigger powerful memories or stories from the patient’s life outside of hospital.

“Research from University College London has shown that touch is a powerful tool in evoking memory and stimulating conversation, especially handling objects with historic or cultural relevance.”

Sally said the project’s ability to transport patients to another place and another time could also prove beneficial for their recovery, alleviating boredom and the focus on illness.

“Many patients have a detailed knowledge about the objects they chose to handle and it can really boost their self-esteem and confidence to share stories and memories from the past, which in turn can help alleviate stress and depression.”

The Object Handling Project is delivered to patients by first year medical students as part of an Arts in Health at FMC elective.

Flinders University first-year medical students Kate Wheldrake, 26, and Nikita Radford, 22, are undertaking the course and said the project was benefiting them as much as the patients.

“By taking part in this elective we have increased patient contact and can also be much more interactive with the patients,” Kate explained.

“We can get a sense of the patient as a person and not just a medical problem.”

Nikita said the project was a good example of care centred around the patient.

“It is all about holistic care and that is an important part of what we are learning about in our studies.”

The students said they had been lucky enough listen to some fascinating stories sparked by the objects.

“One patient we visited had dementia and picked up a pair of gloves. The gloves triggered a memory of her as a young lady working in glove factory in Wales,” Kate said.

“It was wonderful to hear about this memory from a lady who may now be experiencing some memory loss and confusion.”

The Object Handling Project also includes an ‘Afternoon Tea’ themed memory box. The project occurs once a week and is available to any interested patients.

For more information about the project and other Arts in Health at FMC initiatives contact Sally on 8204 3096.

– story by Monique Paschke