At a time of unprecedented stress on both the health-care system and individual practitioners, this unique digital writing retreat aims to make better healthcare workers and outcomes for patients by making better writers.
Led by practitioners with long experience in teaching and writing health humanities, this program offers participants a chance to rewrite the COVID narrative from a place of autonomy.
The retreat continues and extends the typical practice setting of health humanities teaching, which works best with an intimate group of practitioners collaborating closely together as readers and writers.
As a virtual/digital offering, it is an easily accessible opportunity for current practitioners open to all members of a team with an internet connection and the time for an intensive course.
Taking an intensive approach, the retreat will feature lecture and discussion on creative and reflective writing in health context, and ample opportunity for practical exercises for participants. Expert speakers in literary and medical fields—and the crossover between them—will offer their insights and respond to participant questions. Ethical and professional implications of health humanities will also be discussed.
A benefit of the humanities is their near-universal applicability in health-care settings. Learning to refine communication skills through immersion in narrative medicine techniques will lead to better interactions with patients and care team members alike. Moreover, creating a safe environment in which COVID stories can be shared encourages the reproduction of such environments on an individual scale by creating communities of practice.
Over a weekend, the Retreat will seek to help participants recharge, refresh, and return to their work with new eyes.
Q: I'm a doctor/nurse/EMS/ambulance professional/respiratory technician/dietician/spiritual care worker/etc. Can I apply?
A: Yes! Any and all health pracitioners are welcome to register.
Q: I've never written creatively at all. Is this Retreat for me?
A: With our focus on craft, we'll be centred on activities and issues that are best suited for writers with a little experience. But all are welcome.
Q: My focus is poetry/drama/the novel/memoir/flash/graphic medicine/etc. Can I register?
A: Yes. We welcome writers working in any and every genre.
Q: I'm a health practitioner and I've written a little, but I'm looking to take the next step. I'd like to hear from highly accomplished writers and pick up a few tips about creativity and expression too. Is this Retreat for me?
A: Why, yes.
Q: I'd also like to learn about how people with some experience in health humanities go about their work, and join a digital community of writers. Is this Retreat for me?
A: Yes indeed.
Q: I've heard that in a creative writing workshop, you have to share your work. Will I have to do this?
A: No, although you will be highly encouraged to do so: it's only by getting a response from readers that you can improve. But nothing is required of you here except your good attention.
Q: How well will this work on Zoom?
A: We're not sure, but everyone has learned a lot in the past few months about the possibilities and requirements of digital meetings. It won't be like being in a room together; but, in some ways, we hope it might be better?
Q: What do I "bring"?
A: Pen, paper, tablet, phone, computer, quill - whatever you use to write with. And (once again) your good attention.
Q: Can you make me into a great writer?
A: No. The only one who can do that is you. But we can show you some tricks, share some models, try out some of the tools, and maybe give you a little inspiration.
Q: Can we really do that over a weekend?
A: Wonders await.