⬇️ Jump to Registration Form

Medicine is a profession marked by transitions. From training to independent practice, from clinical responsibilities to leadership roles, or from practice years to retirement, physicians continually navigate change. Some transitions are anticipated; others arrive unexpectedly. All carry the potential for growth and insight. 

Drawing on the work of William and Susan Bridges — who defined transition as ​“the process of letting go of the way things used to be and then taking hold of the way they subsequently become” — this workshop invites participants to explore change through the lens of narrative medicine. 

In narrative medicine, story is a powerful tool for making sense of professional life. Story connects past with present, loss with possibility, and uncertainty with purpose. Through guided discussions, readings of clinician narratives, and prompted writing exercises, participants will explore their own professional journeys in a supportive and collegial environment. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of how transitions shape professional identity and well-being, and gain insight into their own evolving story. 

This workshop is geared towards Doctors Manitoba members, at any stage of their careers, who are navigating change, anticipating transition, or seeking a space for reflection and professional renewal. No writing experience required. Sharing is completely voluntary. 

• A practical framework for understanding transitions 
• Guided discussions of published physician narratives 
• Structured reflective writing exercises 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this virtual workshop participants will be better able to: 

• Describe a practical framework for understanding transitions. 
• Analyze clinician narratives to identify the impact of transitions on professional identity and well-being. 
• Compose written reflections exploring personal or professional transitions. 
• Apply insights to future professional transitions, and share resources and knowledge with others.

Facilitator Bio

Karen Gold PhD, MSW is the Curriculum Lead at the Narrative-Based Medicine Lab, and co-instructor for its Foundational Certificate. Her approach to narrative medicine has been shaped by her long-standing interest in the health humanities, and by her career as a clinical social worker and hospital-based educator. Her doctoral studies focused on narrative healthcare and writing by practitioners. She has facilitated narrative workshops for clinicians, educators, and patients in a variety of healthcare and community settings. She has published and presented on narrative pedagogy, clinical communication, and clinician well-being. Click here to read more about Karen.