Grant: Dissemination Events - PA: Integrated Knowledge Translation

This application outlines plans for four key integrated knowledge translation dissemination events related to an arts-informed narrative inquiry of patients' experiences of heart surgery and recovery. In this study, we found that humanistic health care approaches were vital to patients' emotional, psychosocial and physical recovery particularly in technologically-focused systems. Taking into consideration that it is difficult to shape humanistic health care approaches through policies and traditional academic text, we proposed to engage in a novel dissemination method. Our plan involves an arts-informed dissemination method that will engage knowledge users in humanistic and technological layers of patients' stories of heart surgery and recovery. The arts can be particularly effective when considering humanistic approaches in technologically-focused systems as it can bring us to a standstill, prompt reflection and dialogue, and become embodied in ways that shift thinking and impact ways of practice. In partnership with grant applicants, a selection of knowledge users and a design strategist, we are planning and implementing four dissemination events based on the study described above. A primary goal of these events is knowledge dissemination through an arts-informed method that will engage knowledge users on emotive, embodied and cognitive levels prompting reflection and discussion on ways to translate humanism more thoroughly into the technologized practices of cardiovascular care. The method involves the construction of an art exhibition composed of poetry, photographic images and other supporting text and objects that will re-tell patients' stories and prompt audiences to immerse themselves in patients' stories. In partnership with the team, we will engage in a creative-analytic process to construct the exhibition, advance the design concept and message so that it remains authentic to the research and has its greatest impact with knowledge users.