Needs Statement

In the evolving landscape of healthcare and caregiving, there is a critical need to address the emotional and existential dimensions of both the caregiver and the patient experience. Medical humanities and narrative practices offer powerful tools for exploring the human condition, fostering empathy, and supporting the well-being of caregivers. By engaging with stories, art, and reflective writing, caregivers can gain deeper insight into their own experiences and those of others, ultimately enhancing their capacity for compassionate care. Understanding the value of these practices is essential for developing a more holistic, human-centered approach to healthcare.

Additionally, caregivers must be equipped to navigate the inherent ambiguity and complexity of human experiences. Exposure to diverse forms of creative expression encourages openness to multiple perspectives and cultivates emotional intelligence. To support this growth, learners will be encouraged to begin a personal journal, using reflective writing as a mindful practice to process their experiences, explore their thoughts, and build resilience. This initiative addresses the need for structured opportunities to develop reflective habits that enrich both personal and professional life.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of the session, the participants should be able to:

• Summarize the benefits of medical humanities/narrative practice with regard to the caregiver condition, and the human condition.
• Recognize and appreciate ambiguity and different forms of expression/ points of view in the creative work of others.