key: cord-0754413-f9vsjd0s
authors: Babal, Jessica C; Webber, Sarah A; Ruedinger, Emily
title: First, do no harm: Lessons learned from a storytelling event for pediatric residents during the COVID-19 pandemic
date: 2020-06-05
journal: Acad Pediatr
DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2020.05.030
sha: e90d13cf2719fbd383ca0f0af74aed56032cc0fa
doc_id: 754413
cord_uid: f9vsjd0s

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Storytelling during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic presented an unprecedented challenge to resident wellbeing, increasing the risk of anxiety and social isolation. Narrative practices, including storytelling, have been shown to foster resilience and build social bonds. 1 However, whether storytelling is supportive of resident growth and wellbeing during times of crisis is unknown.

We recruited 3 pediatric faculty to participate in an interactive 2-hour storytelling and discussion session during a required resident academic half-day session. We used the online videoconferencing platform Blackboard Collaborate. In preparation, faculty attended a 60- The majority of residents reported that it was moderately, very, or extremely true that hearing faculty tell stories was beneficial for their emotional growth (n=13, 76.5%) and for their professional growth (n=11, 64.7%) and that they wanted to hear more faculty stories in the future (n=12, 70.6%). Fewer residents reported that the storytelling was cathartic in the setting of COVID-19 (moderately, very, or extremely true, n=9, 52.9%). The most common critique provided in the free text comments was that in the setting of COVID-19, stories describing distress and death exacerbated personal stress (n=5, 29.4%).

Storytelling may promote emotional and professional growth and may provide catharsis during times of stress. However, stories featuring highly stressful events may exacerbate distress for some. When storytelling events are implemented, trauma-informed practices should be utilized.

Listeners should be notified if potentially triggering emotional content will be discussed, should be able to opt out, and should be provided with supplemental resources for emotional support.

Stories focused on levity and joy may provide more benefit to residents during stressful times.

Storytelling: an approach that can help to develop resilience

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