Perception meets practice: organisational views on creative arts therapy and arts in health in healthcare

BACKGROUND: Creative Arts Therapy (CAT) and Arts in Health (AH) are increasingly recognised for their contributions to patient wellbeing, staff engagement, and the overall quality of care in healthcare settings. However, the integration of these practices depended heavily on how healthcare administrators understood their distinct purposes, professional boundaries, and potential impact. METHODS: This study investigated organisational perceptions of CAT and AH through a mixed-methods survey of 74 healthcare administrators working across clinical, community, and educational settings. A framework analysis was conducted to examine how varying levels of familiarity influenced hiring decisions, role definition, service provision, and opportunities for professional development. RESULTS: The findings revealed generally positive attitudes toward both CAT and AH, with many administrators acknowledging their value in delivering holistic and person-centred care. However, there remained widespread confusion regarding the differences between therapeutic and non-therapeutic arts roles. This lack of clarity led to inconsistencies in position descriptions, under-utilisation of qualified practitioners, and uncertainty around professional standards and credentialing. Administrators expressed a need for clearer policy guidance, standardised classifications, and improved organisational education about the scope, ethics, and training of arts practitioners. CONCLUSION: These results highlighted a pressing need to build organisational literacy and establish consistent frameworks for integrating arts-based professionals into healthcare systems. By clarifying professional roles and improving alignment with ethical and legal requirements, healthcare organisations could better support effective service delivery, workforce development, and interdisciplinary collaboration.