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Show Notes:

Maureen Leier, a registered nurse in public health and digital storyteller, joins Lisa to explore how integrating personal life stories into healthcare transforms the quality of care and creates meaningful connections between caregivers and patients.

Key Points Discussed:

• Digital storytelling creates a framework for seeing patients as complete humans with rich life experiences

• Deep listening skills are essential for both healthcare and storytelling—hearing what's not being said

• Videos of patients' lives and personalities help staff connect emotionally and provide more compassionate care

• Healthcare providers often report patients are "easier to work with" after seeing their personal stories

• Even brief 3-minute videos can dramatically shift perceptions and improve care quality

• Personal stories provide context that helps staff understand potential unmet needs more clearly that present themselves as "responsive behaviours" or "expressions of risk" 

• Digital stories can serve as a form of memorial that allows healthcare staff to process grief together

• The vulnerability of being unable to advocate for yourself highlights the importance of personal connection

• Simple elements like gentle touch, playful attitudes, and casual conversation remain vital regardless of cognitive ability

• Creating moments of joy and connection is essential because "moment to moment is all we've got"

Share your stories about how personal narratives have impacted your healthcare experience or visit Common Language Digital Storytelling for more information on digital storytelling in healthcare settings.

Check out the digital story Lisa created about a client who inspired her.  

Thank you for listening!

Do you have a question or a topic related to "capturing essence for care" that you would like discussed on the podcast? Send Lisa an email: [email protected]

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Intro and outro music with thanks: Upbeat and Sweet No Strings by Musictown