And now for something completely different…..

As health practitioners, we are involved in writing “stories” every day.  The patient record is our interpretation of our patients’ stories (History) and a summary of our response to this (Examination and Management Plan).

This record does not allow for much creativity on the part of the writer, and is very limited in its ability to assist the health practitioner in making sense of what has gone on for them at a personal level.

To assist in remedying this problem, Dr Hilton Koppe, senior medical educator with North Coast GP Training, is presenting a burnout prevention workshop for health practitioners, using creative writing as the tool. 

The workshop will allow participants an opportunity to experience the use of stories and writing as a means of helping them to better manage some of the more challenging aspect of their working life, and to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a health practitioner.

Practical writing exercises will guide participants through a series of creative tasks which assist them in reflecting on the effect their clinical practice has on their lives with the goal of increasing their enjoyment of work, and of life in general.  The workshop has been designed to reduce professional isolation, burnout and compassion fatigue.

Most of all, it will be an opportunity for some light hearted fun with colleagues, so please bring along humility, a sense of curiosity and a pen

Learning Objectives

By the end of the workshop, participants will have had the opportunity to

1.     Learn knew skills in creative writing

2.     Reflect on what it means to be a health practitioner through the use of structured writing exercises

3.     Develop skills in using reflective writing as a way of personal debriefing about experiences at work

4.     Reignite previously lost passions for creativity

5.     Marvel at the brilliance of their colleagues

6.     Share some of their creative brilliance with colleagues, if they choose to

7.     Experience being with colleagues in a way totally different from other education events