Leading Through Stories: Children’s Healthcare Canada Conference

In the latest episode of our podcast, we had the pleasure of hosting a discussion that sits at the intersection of storytelling, technology, and healthcare. Pam Kai, Krystle Schofield, and Kristina McGuire, each with their own intimate connection to healthcare as parents and caregivers, joined us to unpack the layers of digital storytelling. These seasoned digital storytellers shared their personal experiences, shedding light on the profound impact that this medium can have on audiences and presenters alike.

Digital storytelling in the healthcare context is not merely about conveying facts or statistics; it is about humanizing the often complex and emotionally charged experiences of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Through the digital medium, these stories are given a visual and auditory life, often becoming more relatable and impactful than words on a page could ever be. Pam’s account of how creating her own digital story helped her see her caregiving role in a new light was particularly powerful, illustrating the personal growth that can come from such an exercise.

The conversation further delved into the evolution of storytelling within the medical realm. Traditionally, patient stories have been shared orally, often in clinical settings or conferences. However, digital storytelling brings a different dimension, using imagery and music to evoke emotions and connect with audiences on a deeper level. This emotional resonance can be a catalyst for change, challenging the status quo of healthcare dynamics and encouraging a more holistic view of what it means to care for and about patients.

The intimate nature of crafting a digital story was also a significant point of discussion. Unlike a live presentation, creating a digital story is a reflective process that allows the storyteller to revisit and refine their narrative, imbuing it with greater meaning each time. Pam’s experience of creating a second digital story highlighted this aspect, as she was able to focus on a different facet of her life and contemplate the impact of sharing it.

Funding and evaluating the impact of digital storytelling in healthcare was another complex topic our guests grappled with. While the emotional and intuitive value of these stories is widely acknowledged, their tangible value is harder to quantify. The conversation acknowledged the need for a balance between the intangible benefits to families and caregivers and the tangible outcomes organizations seek when they invest in such initiatives.

As the podcast wrapped up, we were reminded of the significant role digital storytelling can play in not just shaping the healthcare narrative but also in affecting the well-being of those involved. It is a tool for change, a method for healing, and a platform for voices that might otherwise go unheard. In the constantly evolving landscape of healthcare, where human experiences are as critical as the treatments provided, digital storytelling stands out as a beacon of hope and understanding.

Our episode is not just a testament to the power of digital storytelling but also a call to action for listeners to consider incorporating it into their healthcare practices. The impact of these narratives goes beyond the confines of a conference or a workshop; they ripple outwards, touching lives and transforming the way we think about health, illness, and care.

We invite you to listen to the full episode to hear more from our guests and to understand the true depth of digital storytelling in healthcare. Join us as we navigate through these compelling narratives and discover how they are reshaping the healthcare experience for patients, families, and professionals alike.

About Leading Through Stories

Everyone has a story to tell—and what we do with that story can create lasting impact. Every episode, Leading Through Stories, helps unravel the how and why of digital storytelling with host Kristy Wolfe.

Life is made up of meaningful moments—which ones do you want to share?

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Digital Stories in Community-Based Research with Carolyn Brandly – Co-Created

A single well-told story can do what a stack of reports cannot: make someone feel the reality of living in a body, a system, or a diagnosis they’ve never had. We sit down with Carolyn, a newly trained Common Language Digital Storytelling facilitator and PhD student, to unpack how digital storytelling becomes a practical tool for health research, quality improvement, and stigma-breaking conversations.Episode Key Messagesrecreation therapy roots and building community programs for older adultsresearch and quality improvement as tools for systems change in long-term carediscovering Common Language through MAID digital stories and stigma reductionchoosing a more personal story and learning facilitation through vulnerabilityliving with disability, wait times in Canada, and rebuilding identity after surgeryKilimanjaro as a turning point for confidence, aging, and capacityadapting digital storytelling for people living with dementia in a PhD protocolco-research, simplified materials, slower pacing, and practical accessibility tweaksmaking a first volunteer story with her mom and deepening connection through memoryrecording voiceover many times and small changes that amplify a storyteller’s voiceinformed consent, sharing implications, and the ethics of public storytellingchallenging ethics board assumptions and shifting to assumed capacityrights-based approaches to dementia in public spaces and collaboration invitationsOther Links MentionedRead this episode's blog postWatch Carolyn's StoryWatch Marg's StoryLearn more about Fostering Inclusion for People with DementiaLearn more about Carolyn's work with Dementia Connections and PhD researchOther Episodes MentionedEpisode 37 Disrupting Death: Stories of MAiD with Kathy Cortes-Miller and Keri-Lyn DurantEpisode 52 The Storyteller’s Yellow Pages with Lisa JoworskiEpisode 57 What Changes When We Treat Stories Like Data with Dr. Katharine SmartAbout Our GuestCarolyn Brandly has worked with and for older adults and people with dementia for 20+ years in care and community settings – designing, implementing, and evaluating health promotion programs, and facilitating community development, knowledge translation and quality improvement initiatives and research. Carolyn has achieved an MA in health leadership, as well as completing graduate-level education in dementia studies, gerontology, and entrepreneurship, and is currently undertaking doctoral studies through the University of Victoria’s Social Dimensions of Health Program. Her aim is to contribute to global efforts shaping inclusive health and social systems that uphold the human rights, autonomy and dignity of people living with dementia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1. Digital Stories in Community-Based Research with Carolyn Brandly 30:02
2. Using Digital Stories in Clinician Training with Dr. Tricia Williams 30:41
3. Digital Stories Belong in Curriculum & Communities with Dr. Mike Lang 29:05
4. What Changes When We Treat Stories Like Data with Dr. Katharine Smart 26:36
5. Through Her Lens: Cameras For Girls with Amina Mohamed 24:36

Common Language DST facilitator trainings are open for registration.
Learn more here.