Reflective Writing: Creating a Mindful Practice (Part 1: Narrative Practice)

Needs Statement

In the evolving landscape of healthcare and caregiving, there is a critical need to address the emotional and existential dimensions of both the caregiver and the patient experience. Medical humanities and narrative practices offer powerful tools for exploring the human condition, fostering empathy, and supporting the well-being of caregivers. By engaging with stories, art, and reflective writing, caregivers can gain deeper insight into their own experiences and those of others, ultimately enhancing their capacity for compassionate care. Understanding the value of these practices is essential for developing a more holistic, human-centered approach to healthcare.

Additionally, caregivers must be equipped to navigate the inherent ambiguity and complexity of human experiences. Exposure to diverse forms of creative expression encourages openness to multiple perspectives and cultivates emotional intelligence. To support this growth, learners will be encouraged to begin a personal journal, using reflective writing as a mindful practice to process their experiences, explore their thoughts, and build resilience. This initiative addresses the need for structured opportunities to develop reflective habits that enrich both personal and professional life.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of the session, the participants should be able to:

• Summarize the benefits of medical humanities/narrative practice with regard to the caregiver condition, and the human condition.
• Recognize and appreciate ambiguity and different forms of expression/ points of view in the creative work of others.

Target Audience

Competencies

• Interpersonal and Communication Skills
• Interprofessional Communication
• Professionalism

Accreditation/Credit Designation

Baylor College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Baylor College of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure Policy

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. BCM is committed to sponsoring CE activities that are scientifically based, accurate, current, and objectively presented.

In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, BCM has implemented a mechanism requiring everyone in a position to control the content of an educational activity (i.e., directors, planning committee members, faculty) to disclose any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests (drug/device companies) and manage/resolve any conflicts of interest prior to the activity. Individuals must disclose to participants the existence or non-existence of financial relationships at the time of the activity or within 24 months prior.

In addition, BCM has requested activity faculty/presenters to disclose to participants any unlabeled use or investigational use of pharmaceutical/device products; to use scientific or generic names (not trade names) in referring to products; and, if necessary to use a trade name, to use the names of similar products or those within a class. Faculty/presenters have also been requested to adhere to the ACCME's validation of clinical content statements.

BCM does not view the existence of financial relationships with commercial interests as implying bias or decreasing the value of a presentation. It is up to participants to determine whether the relationships influence the activity faculty with regard to exposition or conclusions. If at any time during this activity you feel that there has been commercial/promotional bias, notify the Activity Director or Activity Coordinator. Please answer the questions about balance and objectivity in the activity evaluation candidly.

All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.