It’s safe to say that the NACIC24 event in Calgary served as a balm to many a weary person’s soul. While we collectively face difficult problems, this event served as a bright reminder of the hope and optimism available when we come together to share story.
Re-Connecting with IFIC Friends
Meeting New Friends
I sometimes feel as though my favorite people live an ocean away from me, and while we collaborate on projects via email in between events, there really is no substitute for being in the same room with friends and colleagues from around the world. Catching up on personal lives and sharing hopes for our work over a cup of coffee brought a glow to the experience. Where else can you be a room of hundreds of new people, and feel that none are strangers?
Energy and Shared Purpose
I didn’t know how much I needed to refill my own bucket. When you wear a lot of hats, it’s easy to get overly focused on the to do list and become fatigued, finding yourself disconnected from your “why.” The anxiety I felt at being away, even for a short time, melted away when I filled my coffee cup on the first day and met a new friend who told me about her work as a caregiver. Suddenly, my heart came alive again, I was present in the moment, and I enjoyed connecting with this amazing woman. From that moment on, I continued to feel bursts of joy, and immediately started looking forward to each session and interaction. The energy and positivity at the event was unmatched.
When I talk about IFIC events, I tell my students that they will not believe how easy it is to begin conversations with other attendees that become deep and meaningful. It’s impossible to know what this is like until you experience these events. One thing I look forward to every time I attend is who I will meet and how much I will learn from each person.
Bringing My Students Into the Fold
A goal that I’ve been working towards for the past several years is bringing more Americans to IFIC events. I understand that it is a privilege to travel and to attend these events. I know that it’s tougher to find funding for professional development each year. Despite these difficulties, I was thrilled to have four CGI community members with me at NACICI24. I watched the smiles on their faces, saw them come alive talking with new people, and talked with them about their favorite sessions. I was so proud to see them share their work in presentations, posters, and networking activities.
Nontraditional Ways of Learning
Two sessions I particularly enjoyed were those that used unique activities to facilitate learning through interaction with others. In the academic and professional world, learning often follows a standard format with the speaker using slides and the audience (hopefully) staying awake and engaged. Two sessions diverted from this format in the most delightful way.
One workshop, called “Uncovering the Black Box: The Potential of a Stakeholders Engagement in Realist Evaluation,” used ‘The Hats of Bono’ tool to facilitate hands-on practice in Realist Evaluation as small groups attempted to make decisions related to designing a patient health literacy aid. The Hats of Bono tool was new to me, and I found the discussions quite effective at considering perspectives that are often not included in design planning. It was a wonderful way to kick off the day. Thank you to Nienke de Graef, Joana Schwartz, Anne van den Bulck, and Arianne Elissen from Maastricht University in the Netherlands for such an engaging session.
Another workshop, entitled “Exploring Creative Approaches to Hearing Silent Voices,” demonstrated how non-traditional ways of connection and ‘sharing back’ can unlock a playful, uninhibited part of us, allowing us to tap into deeper levels of knowing. Through simple but uncommon rules for participation and use of visual creations, Dr. Yumiko Olliver showed us how to bring deeply held beliefs forth from magazine images, how to remain present and without judgement of self or others as we shared the meaning of our creation with others, and how to connect with one another to come to a greater understanding of themes about wellness from the entire audience. This was a magical experience, and I left the session inspired to recreate the activity at home to seek a better sense of and greater connection to community voice.
Sharing Story
The final session I was able to attend as a panelist was the Sub-Plenary “Harnessing Stories of Change in Health and Social Care Systems,” featuring panel members Asha Croggon, Beth Mandela, and Camille Orridge, co-moderated by Yinka Macaulay and Jolene Goldhar
It was clear that this session resonated deeply with many attendees. One attendee shared a story that exemplified exactly what we can do to use privilege we have to elevate voices that have been dismissed or devalued. This is a common moral injury for health professionals, and one that has been cited frequently as contributing to the healthcare workforce ‘Mass Resignation’ crisis. Ensuring strategic use of story, demonstrating the impact of story on system improvement, and protecting those who share from re-traumatization were key takeaways for me.
Dr Cara English
Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies
Doctor of Behavioral Health