Patient & Family Storytelling: Real People. Real Experiences. Real Impact.

This Alberta Health Services website lists 107 videos from patients and their families. There is a brief description of each video (e.g., the health condition, who tells the story, what larger issue or point the story illustrates). It is possible to search the collection (e.g., for stories related to “cancer”).  Some examples of health narratives on this website include:

Rose’s Story: Joy and Grief, a look into how healthcare providers can help us navigate tragedy and foster healing. Rose explores the impact and experience of the stillbirth of her son and daughter. (The website includes a content warning.) 

B’s Story: Learning to B myself, a story about the challenges of occupational stress, gender identity, mental health, and transgender advocacy from a rural context. 

Jeraldine’s Story: There is Hope, a story of the experiences of an Indigenous woman who experiences the ramifications of intergenerational trauma. This story advocated for Canada to provide culturally appropriate healthcare to indigenous populations. 

Although produced by a health care system, these videos give more voice to patients and family members than is often the case with these kinds of collections. They are well-produced and many address the experiences of historically under-served and marginalized populations.

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