Protocol for a systematic review of the use of narrative storytelling and visual-arts-based approaches as knowledge translation tools in healthcare

Abstract

BackgroundThe arts are powerful, accessible forms of communication that have the potential to impart knowledge by attracting interest and developing meaningful connections. Knowledge translation aims to reduce the ‘evidence-practice’ gap by developing, implementing and evaluating strategies designed to enhance awareness and promote behavior change congruent with research evidence. Increasingly, innovative approaches such as narrative storytelling and other arts-based interventions are being investigated to bridge the growing gap between practice and research. This study is the first to systematically identify and synthesize current research on narrative storytelling and visual art to translate and disseminate health research.MethodsA health research librarian will develop and implement search strategies designed to identify relevant evidence. Studies will be included if they are primary research employing narrative storytelling and/or visual art as a knowledge translation strategy in healthcare. Two reviewers will independently perform study selection, quality assessment, and data extraction using standard forms. Disagreements will be resolved through discussion or third party adjudication. Data will be grouped and analyzed by research design, type of knowledge translation strategy (that is, a narrative or visual-arts-based approach), and target audience. An overall synthesis across all studies will be conducted.DiscussionThe findings from this research project will describe the ‘state of the science’ regarding the use of narrative storytelling and visual art as knowledge translation strategies. This systematic review will provide critical information for: (1) researchers conducting knowledge translation intervention studies; (2) nursing, medicine, and allied healthcare professionals; (3) healthcare consumers, including patients and families; and (4) decision makers and knowledge users who are charged to increase use of the latest research in healthcare settings.

The storied mind: A meta-narrative review exploring the capacity of stories to foster humanism in health care

“…[10] The meta-narrative analysis followed a comprehensive process using rigorous methodological guidelines to synthesize the heterogeneous forms of evidence. [7][8][9][10] We identified disciplines that have considered storytelling and worked with our librarian to identify databases for each area. The relevant traditions were initially considered to be Business, Health, Organizational Development, Humanities, Education, Indigenous Studies, and the Arts.…”

“…Nevertheless, a gap exists in knowledge about the theoretical and practical implications of how this plays out in terms of the impact of patient stories on institutional culture. Stories have the potential to evoke compassion, empathy, and inspiration, and, while difficult to measure and quantify in traditional ways [7][8][9] healthcare may learn from their successes and approaches to synthesizing evidence. Health Services work to improve multiple dimensions of quality by hearing and understanding the stories of patients, families, leaders, and care providers.…”

Once upon a time: Storytelling as a knowledge translation strategy for qualitative researchers

“…Storytelling has many advantages for the knowledge translation of qualitative research results. Stories address health professionals, as well as patients, families, and the public, and can be used with both children and adults (Scott et al., ). They allow for natural oral and textual communication.…”

“…Consistent with Dewey’s and Rorty’s perspective on pragmatism, stories make for a better understanding of characters’ feelings and thoughts through understanding their experience (Ricoeur, ). Stories can give meaning to human behaviors in a given context by putting into perspective aspects of a phenomenon that could initially seem disconnected (Banks‐Wallace, ; Scott et al., ). They also show people how to act in a meaningful way.…”

“…Based on its use in other disciplines and for purposes other than the knowledge translation of research results into practice, storytelling could be considered a concrete strategy that is particularly adapted to the translation of qualitative results in healthcare and, more specifically, in nursing (Christensen, 2012;Scott, Brett-MacLean, Archibald, & Hartling, 2013;Swap, Leonard, Shields, & Abrams, 2015). It could help health professionals better grasp the usefulness of qualitative research results, namely by targeting their sensitivity to the phenomena.…”