| Description |
Illness and the modern health care system create significant stress for patients, families, doctors, nurses, and other health care providers (HCPs). Writing about traumatic experiences has been shown to provide significant health benefits, including improved blood pressure control, immune function, wound healing, pulmonary function testing, and depression. However, most therapists and patients do not use writing as a healing tool, and time and resources are limited. We developed a simple 3-minute writing exercise, and have used this tool with patients, families, and HCPs in everyday clinical practice to foster a team approach to illness that facilitates healing. This interactive workshop will include an overview of the health benefits of creative writing. Participants will then practice this writing exercise, gaining proficiency so they can use it in their own clinical situation. Participants will share their writing, and brainstorm ways this technique might transform their own clinical practices.
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