Evaluation of a flexible artist-facilitated storytelling intervention on a palliative care unit

Evaluation of a flexible artist-facilitated storytelling intervention on a palliative care unit
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management; by Kyle J. Drouillard, Regine Krechowicz, Kim Kilpatrick, Shirley H. Bush, Cory J. Ingram, Kaitlyn Boese, Jaya Rastogi, Jessica Roy, Carol Wiebe, Jenny McMaster, Claudia Hampel, Sarina Isenberg; 9/25
A professional storyteller facilitated sessions with patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals on a palliative care unit, starting with an open-ended question (e.g., “What story do you want to tell?”). From 18 sessions, patients (n=6), caregivers (n=8), and healthcare professionals (n=6), found the storytelling session acceptable, appropriate, feasible, meaningful and worthwhile. The storyteller perceived participants as enthusiastic and appreciative. Patient and caregiver stories described the palliative care unit as a calm site of reflection, and framed illness as a journey. Healthcare professionals’ stories reflected pride in and gratitude for their work.