Narrative medicine program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: a co-learning model with interprofessional students

Talia M Katz; Saim Imran; Erin Norris

doi:10.36834/cmej.81969

Narrative medicine program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: a co-learning model with interprofessional students

Authors

Talia M Katz University of Toronto https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8403-247X
Saim Imran University of Toronto
Erin Norris University of Toronto https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4965-2244

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36834/cmej.81969

Abstract

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) experience persistent communication barriers in healthcare, limiting their autonomy and participation. Narrative medicine is a clinical approach that centres patients’ stories to inform and enable more humanistic care. CREATE (Cultivating Reflection, Empathy, and Awareness in Telling Experiences) adapts narrative medicine principles to an arts-based workshop for adults with IDDs to enhance communication for both participants and healthcare student facilitators. By engaging trainees directly with patient narratives in community settings, CREATE provides a replicable model for inclusive, patient-centered medical education and care.

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References

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Published

2026-01-19

How to Cite

Katz TM, Imran S, Norris E. Narrative medicine program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: a co-learning model with interprofessional students. Can. Med. Ed. J [Internet]. 2026 Jan. 19 [cited 2026 Jan. 19];. Available from: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/cmej/article/view/81969

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