The Stroke Digital Story Collection has a great many potential uses within the context of health and social care. Steps are therefore being taken to ensure that as many people as possible benefit from their creation.
Once our storytellers were satisfied with their stories, they were invited back to a story screening. As the stories were developed in two phases, two screenings were held. Both were extremely well attended by stroke care providers, local managers and decision makers, including those with an interest in patient involvement and patient information. The screenings were an important part of the digital storytelling process, as they allowed the storytellers to see firsthand the powerful impact that their stories had on others.
The stories are now being made available on DVD, providing other stroke service providers and dicision makers with a similar opportunity for individual reflection.
It's also been recognised that digital stories can trigger group discussion and debate. This, coupled with their brevity, allows them to be used in a variety of contexts:
What is clear is that digital stories are versatile and that the creation and use phases must receive equal attention.
This message is being taken on board as we continue to explore the contribution of digital storytelling with stroke patients, carers, health and social care professionals in NHS Lanarkshire.
Having a voice is not the same as being heard...
Paul Hodgkin and James Munro, The Guardian, 16/05/2007