Living Library

Thom: History Matters (3:47)

Every patient has a history beyond the chart, and history matters. Thom discusses some of the intricacies in the relationship between patient and practitioner.

That confirms to me that I’m not good enough…

Topics: mental health, relationship, more than medical history, building trust, vulnerability

Kristie: What and Why (3:27)

Questions are important tools for practitioners. Kristie describes the difference between “what” and “why” and how these respective questions achieve different but related goals in the patient-practitioner relationship.

…you’re trying to find out who they are to find the best way to help them…

Topics: communication, relationship, patient- centered care

Mandy & Sophie: A Caregiver’s Journey Part 1 (1:05)

Mandy recounts receiving her young daughter’s life changing diagnosis of Prader-Willi Syndrome over the phone.

She gave me the diagnosis of my daughter over my phone...

Topics: ethics, professionalism, communication, caregiving, rare diseases, breaking bad news

Darren: The Journey to Disclosure (1:39)

Darren shares the flood of emotions and feelings one has after a positive HIV diagnosis.

Your life will forever change once I tell you something...

Topics: Criminalization, empathy, breaking bad news, communication, ethics

Al: Being HIV+ what needs to be said? (1:38)

Al details a first aid experience in Mexico to show why health professionals should always follow proper first aid procedures.

You're going to follow proper first aid procedures aren't you?

Topics: ethics, communication, stigma, patient safety

Daryl: An Experience with Assumptions (1:00)

Daryl recounts a negative moment in his health care journey that occurred as a result of stereotypes.

Things went terribly wrong by the afternoon...

Topics: Stigma, communication, professionalism

Her and Her Healthcare: A Look into the Relationship Between Healthcare and Teen Girls (4:20)

Three friends discuss intersectional experiences of black and indigenous girls with healthcare.

How could she even ask you a question like that?

Topics: intersectionality, relationship, teen girls

Thom: History Matters (3:47)

Every patient has a history beyond the chart, and history matters. Thom discusses some of the intricacies in the relationship between patient and practitioner.

That confirms to me that I’m not good enough…

Topics: mental health, relationship, more than medical history, building trust, vulnerability

Al: A Journey of Living Positive (3:14)

Al discusses living with HIV, his experiences with drug trials, medication side effects, and managing depression due to a chronic health condition.

He said at this point you really don't have much to lose...

Topics: medication side effects, mental health, advocacy, stigma

Jon: Arthritis and Painful Feet (5:23)

Jon shares his experience with arthritis and makes his case for the patient-centred approach and for better collaboration within healthcare.

You cannot take someone off the street and just turn them into whatever you want...

Topics: Physical therapy, kinesiologists and biomechanics, collaborative patient-centered care and shared decision making

Marge & Eric: Collaborative Healthcare with Families (5:11)

Marge recounts her experience bringing healthcare professionals together to work with Eric, discusses the current state of the system and offers her hopes as a mother of a child born with cognitive disabilities.

…professionals and families, we were all working together.

Topics: communication, collaborative care, family- centred care, advocacy, neurological disability, neurodiversity

Jory & Robin: A Journey with Alzheimer’s Disease (3:57)

Jory shares how his wife’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis taught him about selflessness, commitment, and heartbreak, as well as the progression of the disease and how he coped as her caregiver.

The heartbreak has been the hardest...

Topics: caregiving, advocacy, resiliency, family- centred care, palliative and end-of-life care

Donna: Caring to the End (3:11)

Donna shares her experiences becoming Neil's full-time caregiver as his ALS deteriorates, resulting in his death.

…he was trapped in his body...

Topics: caregiving, end of life, palliative care, quality of life, death, faith, motor neuron disease, ALS, PLS

Kristie: Maybe I'm More Healthy than I Realized (8:53)

Kristie shares her experiences coping with chronic illness, and how her grief lent her strength.

I had processed my grief with the loss of many things in my life...

Topics: resilience, grief, loss

Jon: Arthritis and Painful Feet (5:23)

Jon shares his experience with arthritis and makes his case for the patient-centred approach and for better collaboration within healthcare.

You cannot take someone off the street and just turn them into whatever you want...

Topics: Physical therapy, kinesiologists and biomechanics, collaborative patient-centered care and shared decision making

Mandy & Sophie: A Caregiver’s Journey Part 2 (2:53)

Mandy describes changes she made to her home and lifestyle and how she built her health care dream team.

..that gave everybody ownership that Sophie wasn't just a number.

Topics: chronic disease self-management, team- based care, patient-centred care.

Marge & Eric: Collaborative Healthcare with Families (5:11)

Marge recounts her experience bringing healthcare professionals together to work with Eric, discusses the current state of the system and offers her hopes as a mother of a child born with cognitive disabilities.

…professionals and families, we were all working together.

Topics: communication, collaborative care, family- centred care, advocacy, neurological disability, neurodiversity

Donna: Caring to the End (3:11)

Donna shares her experiences becoming Neil's full-time caregiver as his ALS deteriorates, resulting in his death.

…he was trapped in his body...

Topics: caregiving, end of life, palliative care, quality of life, death, faith, motor neuron disease, ALS, PLS

Eve: Dying with Dignity (2:00)

Eve speaks about the loss of her husband and shares her perspective on dying.

...maybe I’ll end up in the hospital and no one will realize what I want.

Topics: end of life, assisted death, advanced directives

Jory & Robin: A Journey with Alzheimer’s Disease (3:57)

Jory shares how his wife’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis taught him about selflessness, commitment, and heartbreak, as well as the progression of the disease and how he coped as her caregiver.

The heartbreak has been the hardest...

Topics: caregiving, advocacy, resiliency, family- centred care, palliative and end-of-life care

Rob: A Journey of Aphasia & Hope (1:55)

Rob discusses how his stroke resulted in global aphasia, how he learned to talk again, and how hope got him through it.

I was Royal Canadian Air Force and CEO of Regina airport and had a stroke.

Topics: communication, patient-centred care, breaking bad news

Mario & Lynn: Different Journeys with Dementia (2:35)

Mario and Lynn discuss the stages from denial to acceptance in dementia diagnoses, stress the importance of positive language, individualized treatment and the role of peer support.

Dementia is really an umbrella term...

Topics: communication, advocacy, brain health, community resources and peer support

Chris: Mobility Matters (2:47)

Chris describes what transportation and mobility is like for him and shows how his wheelchair can empower.

I can stand up so that people see me eye-to-eye.

Topics: disability, transportation, mobility, independence, wheelchair demonstration

Maxine: A Journey with Hearing Loss (2:16)

Maxine discusses her journey with hearing loss and life after a cochlear implant.

How can I best communicate with you?

Topics: Communication, health and technology

Her and Her Healthcare: A Look into the Relationship Between Healthcare and Teen Girls (4:20)

Three friends discuss intersectional experiences of black and indigenous girls with healthcare.

How could she even ask you a question like that?

Topics: intersectionality, relationship, teen girls