LI Course
CE Hours: 6 contact hours

Partnership: UMass Center for Health Equity Intervention Research

Statement of Purpose and Institute Overview: The purpose of this course is to provide participants with a step-by-step process to develop a storytelling intervention. Narrative communication is increasingly used in health communication research and seen as an effective tool in behavior change. It appeals to human affinity for “storytelling’, which is universal and intuitive. It is an essential part of being human and defines who we are within a cultural lens. Using personal narratives as intervention requires weaving together science and theory, while still being true to the art of storytelling. The Institute begins with a brief overview of theoretical frameworks and examples of effective uses of storytelling in behavior change interventions. Integrating storytelling allows the intervention to tap into a wellspring of wisdom from within a community, rather than relying on more sterile academic conceptual models or pronouncements from the experts about what would be most effective. Participants will have hands-on practice in the storytelling development process. This includes developing fundamental skills in identify storytellers, designing individual interview guides and producing a video. Each step is explained and modeled for participants. Instructors will provide a list of potential intervention topics, which may be chosen or modified based on the groups’ interest. Participants will be divided into small groups to develop a small scale storytelling intervention. The storytelling product produced sets the stage for participant discussion about limitations and challenges to centralizing storytelling in health interventions, and ways to implement storytelling intervention at local organizations. The storytelling development method presented will also generate stories that are applicable to social media such as Facebook. Course materials include paper and electronic resources that can guide participants in the implementation of effective storytelling interventions in their local settings, including a production manual, tips and guides, etc. The Institute is convened by the Center for Health Intervention Research (CHEIR), a partnership between UMass Worcester and UMass Boston to develop innovative solutions to eliminate health disparities and equip the next generation of researchers to better serve vulnerable populations. Central to CHEIR’s work is the use of storytelling as a tool to build research literacy and promote racial and ethnic health equity. Instructors for this learning institute have led the development, implementation and evaluation of storytelling interventions in diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. They also bring an interdisciplinary approach with instructors having formal training in the fields of clinical psychology, internal medicine, quantitative health sciences, public policy, fine arts and public health.

Session Objectives: Describe the storytelling intervention development process Identify practical tools and methodologies for developing a storytelling intervention Discuss potential limitations and challenges to storytelling intervention development