Film, Story and Research: The Intersection of the Arts, Science, Religion and Practice in an Interdisciplinary Discussion of Whole Person Care
Moderator -
Carla Gober-Park, Ph.D., MS, MPH, Director, Center for Spiritual Life and Wholeness, Loma Linda University
Panelists-
Tamara Thomas, M.D. (LLU)
Chintan Somaiya, MS, MBA (LLU)
The workshop has three main components, which include Film, Research and Discussion/Storytelling that provide a rounded approach to understanding and learning that illustrates the value of interdisciplinary discussions of theology, the humanities, the social sciences and the practice of medicine: 1) the screening of a newly completed 30 minute documentary film on whole person care, entitled A Certain Kind of Light (now showing in 8 film festivals but not yet available to the general public), 2) a lecture presentation on the quantitative research done on whole person care elated to the model that is associated with the film, and 3) a discussion of both, with the purpose of teaching how story (and listening to stories) deepens the connections between medicine and religion.
The learning objective for this workshop is to have a wider understanding of Whole Person Care as it is understood through story, and more specifically, through the life of one of the pioneers of Whole Person Care, Wilber Alexander, a man who has sat at the bedside of the sick and dying for the last 40 years, and how this dedication to story helped develop a model of caring that, while situated in the Christian context, can guide teaching, research and practice in a variety of professions that work at the intersection of medicine and religion.
Film: A CERTAIN KIND OF LIGHT
This 30-minute documentary film explores the power of story as it relates to whole person care, beginning with the life and work of Dr. Wil Alexander and culminating with a model of care built around story. The film also features contributions of scholars, clinicians, students, and administrators who have contributed to whole person care. This film serves as a “point of entry” to the practice of Whole Person Care, but more generally explores the impact of story and listening to story. The history of integrating story into healthcare is an art form practiced by Wil throughout his work. His life runs parallel to the development of the concept of whole person care.
This film involves over a hundred hours of footage following physicians, student physicians, chaplains and other healthcare professionals as they care for patients. Through the life of Dr. Wil Alexander, now 93 years old, we follow the life of a man dedicated to listening to the stories of patients and his method of teaching others how to listen to story. This short film is situated in the Christian context and yet people of all faiths will find themselves moved by it as it explores the power of story and the transformative effects of listening and being heard. As one non-religious viewer commented, “Everybody has a story and this film moves the heart with that truth.” This film was completed in August 2015 and is scheduled to appear in 8 film festivals, one of them in London and one in Los Angeles within the next couple of months. The film opens up questions about the power of story and what it takes to really hear another person, specifically within the context of illness and healing. It also raises questions about the place of faith within illness and healing, since many stories contain that element.
Research: Lecture presentation on research done on a model of caring reflected in the film. A survey of over 500 medical students explores the connection between personal story and health indicators, including burnout, spiritual health, the capacity for connection, and wellness factors. This research raises interesting questions of how personal story relates to one’s capacity in caring for others.
Discussion/Storytelling: This discussion will have several components: 1) Engage audience in their reaction to the film and the lecture presentation, as well as tell their own stories; 2) Exploration of particular questions raised by the film and presentation, 3) Discussion of the ways the concept story originating from a Christian context can be large enough to embrace a variety of people and professions, 4) Exploration of the value of interdisciplinary discussions – not only the interdisciplinary health professions, but the value of interdisciplinary discussions of theology, the humanities, the social sciences and the practice of medicine.
Carla Gober-Park, Ph.D., MS, MPH, Director, Center for Spiritual Life and Wholeness, Loma Linda University
Panelists-
Tamara Thomas, M.D. (LLU)
Chintan Somaiya, MS, MBA (LLU)
The workshop has three main components, which include Film, Research and Discussion/Storytelling that provide a rounded approach to understanding and learning that illustrates the value of interdisciplinary discussions of theology, the humanities, the social sciences and the practice of medicine: 1) the screening of a newly completed 30 minute documentary film on whole person care, entitled A Certain Kind of Light (now showing in 8 film festivals but not yet available to the general public), 2) a lecture presentation on the quantitative research done on whole person care elated to the model that is associated with the film, and 3) a discussion of both, with the purpose of teaching how story (and listening to stories) deepens the connections between medicine and religion.
The learning objective for this workshop is to have a wider understanding of Whole Person Care as it is understood through story, and more specifically, through the life of one of the pioneers of Whole Person Care, Wilber Alexander, a man who has sat at the bedside of the sick and dying for the last 40 years, and how this dedication to story helped develop a model of caring that, while situated in the Christian context, can guide teaching, research and practice in a variety of professions that work at the intersection of medicine and religion.
Film: A CERTAIN KIND OF LIGHT
This 30-minute documentary film explores the power of story as it relates to whole person care, beginning with the life and work of Dr. Wil Alexander and culminating with a model of care built around story. The film also features contributions of scholars, clinicians, students, and administrators who have contributed to whole person care. This film serves as a “point of entry” to the practice of Whole Person Care, but more generally explores the impact of story and listening to story. The history of integrating story into healthcare is an art form practiced by Wil throughout his work. His life runs parallel to the development of the concept of whole person care.
This film involves over a hundred hours of footage following physicians, student physicians, chaplains and other healthcare professionals as they care for patients. Through the life of Dr. Wil Alexander, now 93 years old, we follow the life of a man dedicated to listening to the stories of patients and his method of teaching others how to listen to story. This short film is situated in the Christian context and yet people of all faiths will find themselves moved by it as it explores the power of story and the transformative effects of listening and being heard. As one non-religious viewer commented, “Everybody has a story and this film moves the heart with that truth.” This film was completed in August 2015 and is scheduled to appear in 8 film festivals, one of them in London and one in Los Angeles within the next couple of months. The film opens up questions about the power of story and what it takes to really hear another person, specifically within the context of illness and healing. It also raises questions about the place of faith within illness and healing, since many stories contain that element.
Research: Lecture presentation on research done on a model of caring reflected in the film. A survey of over 500 medical students explores the connection between personal story and health indicators, including burnout, spiritual health, the capacity for connection, and wellness factors. This research raises interesting questions of how personal story relates to one’s capacity in caring for others.
Discussion/Storytelling: This discussion will have several components: 1) Engage audience in their reaction to the film and the lecture presentation, as well as tell their own stories; 2) Exploration of particular questions raised by the film and presentation, 3) Discussion of the ways the concept story originating from a Christian context can be large enough to embrace a variety of people and professions, 4) Exploration of the value of interdisciplinary discussions – not only the interdisciplinary health professions, but the value of interdisciplinary discussions of theology, the humanities, the social sciences and the practice of medicine.