Stories Matter: Bias & Stigmatization in Healthcare a Reflective Digital Storytelling Workshop

ZOOM LINK: https://ucalgary.zoom.us/j/96004642725?pwd=Z3JQYWlDWVhFNmorclE1enRjWGFCdz09

Implicit biases are automatic, unconscious attitudes and stereotypes about people based on their socio-economic or cultural background, skin tone, language, age, gender, weight, use of substances, etc. Healthcare providers hold implicit biases that have been identified as an important factor underlying safety and quality of care. Some patients are treated differently because of implicit biases; they feel judged, stigmatized, and may not receive adequate or appropriate healthcare.

Stories and storytelling help us to make sense of our thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Stories can help us understand our environment, our interactions with others and let us formulate and convey our values, beliefs and insights for ourselves and others. Digital Storytelling (DST) in research can be used as a method that increases the involvement of people with lived experience in health research. DST can help to reach and elevate the voices of underrepresented populations and can meaningfully engage populations who value storytelling as a way of knowing and understanding. Digital stories are short, personal video narratives created with the combination of voice recording, pictures and sound that are put together in a workshop environment using the 7-step methodology developed by the Story Center, USA. Digital stories are a validated tool which personalizes quantitative data, and explores what matters most to patients. Further, multimedia stories that are concise also act as a powerful knowledge translation tool and can facilitate reflective educational practice.

In this workshop, we will explore the use of DST as reflective practice for educational purposes in healthcare by viewing 4 personal digital stories developed by patient research partners on the topic of bias and stigmatization. We will take some time to reflect and examine our personal thoughts, insights, and biases on each individual story, discuss as a group, and share some personal reflections from each storyteller.