Using storytelling to
transform healthcare

 

Narrative-based medicine is premised on the understanding that, knowingly and unknowingly, practitioners and patients together construct narratives over the course of their encounters; that these stories – with their multiple characters, conflicts and desires, subtleties and miscommunications – affect the nature and meaning of health events in all our lives; and that getting better at working with stories of all kinds has a powerful impact on both patient care and clinician fulfillment.

Jointly led by an expert in narrative-based medicine and an accomplished writer, both of whom have extensive experience working with health professionals, this intensive program is taught in two parts: NBM Principles and Practices focuses on the theory and practice of narrative-based medicine while Writing and Narrative Craft seeks to improve learners’ creative and reflective skills as writers and readers.

The program is Canada’s only virtual intensive certificate program in narrative-based clinical practice. Domestic and international learners across all disciplines are welcome.

Target Audience

Healthcare practitioners from all clinical fields and disciplines; artists interested in learning about NBM; clinicians or educators interested in bringing narrative into their work; scholars interested in the intersection of creative writing and healthcare; those working in health communications, policy or advocacy. Writers at every level are welcome.

Program Dates 2025 - 2026

The Fall 2025 cohort starts on October 28, and will run for 8 sessions. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays from 6pm to 8:30pm ET.

The Winter 2026 cohort starts on January 22, and will run for 8 sessions. Sessions will be held on Thursdays from 1pm to 3:30pm ET.

The Spring 2026 cohort starts on March 10, and will run for 8 sessions. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays from 6pm to 8:30pm (ET).

Fall 2025

Tuesdays from 6pm to 8:30pm (ET)

  • October 28
  • November 11
  • November 25
  • December 9
  • January 20
  • February 3
  • February 17
  • March 3

Fall 2025 Registration

Winter 2026

Thursdays from 1pm to 3:30pm (ET)

  • January 22
  • February 5
  • February 19
  • March 5
  • March 12
  • March 26
  • April 9
  • April 23

Winter 2026 Registration

Spring 2026

Tuesdays from 6pm to 8:30pm (ET)

  • March 10
  • March 24
  • April 7
  • April 21
  • April 28
  • May 12
  • May 19
  • June 2

Spring 2026 Registration

Program Goals

  • Enhance reflective capacity, narrative competence, critical thinking and visual literacy in clinical care.
  • Improve the quality and experience of relationship-centred care for patients, families and providers through an examined, collaborative use of story.
  • Utilize a narrative approach to help clarify issues of power differentials, the hidden curriculum, ethical dilemmas and clinician moral distress & well-being, and resilience while enhancing team-building and collaboration.

Learning Objectives

After active engagement in the program, learners will be better able to:

  • Understand introductory theory and concepts of narrative-based medicine
  • Identify narrative-based medicine strategies for day-to-day healthcare contexts and clinical training
  • Demonstrate enhanced craftsmanship in reflective and creative writing, achieved through writing exercises, lectures, and discussion
  • Attend and respond to narrative pieces more completely via close reading and discussion of health-related and other published works in a variety of genres
  • Listen attentively and provide respectful responses to shared participant work
  • Build a supportive community of practice to foster person-centered practice, self-reflection, and resiliency