EP27 Once Upon a Clinic: Storytelling by Design in Healthcare - Tim Jones (Health Nuts Media)

Beyond the Blueprint - Better Healthtech By Design

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Tim Jones, Emmy award-winning content creator and CEO of Health Nuts Media, as we explore the transformative role of storytelling in patient engagement. Drawing on decades of experience in healthcare and media, Tim unpacks how stories shape patient memory, drive emotional connection, and impact outcomes. From narrative theory to real-world examples—like how a cartoon wolf helped kids understand asthma—this episode offers practical insights for health system leaders, content creators, and clinicians seeking to design communication strategies that resonate long after the visit ends.

Key Takeaways

• Human beings are not rational creatures; we process stories emotionally.
• Storytelling is essential for patient engagement in healthcare.
• Patients are the protagonists in their own healthcare narratives.
• There are three types of narratives in healthcare: restitution, chaos, and quest.
• Healthcare organizations play a crucial role in shaping patient stories.
• Memory of experiences evolves over time, affecting how stories are remembered.
• Conflict-driven stories lead to meaningful change in patients' lives.
• Digital storytelling can effectively communicate health information.
• Research supports storytelling as a valuable tool in public health.
• Storytelling can help prevent patients from falling into chaos narratives.

Episode Highlights

00:00The Power of Storytelling in Healthcare 07:05Understanding Patient Narratives 12:06Crafting Stories for Patient Engagement 16:26Real-World Applications of Storytelling 22:29Evidence and Impact of Storytelling in Healthcare 25:28Closing Thoughts on Storytelling's Role Guest: Tim Jones - Health Nuts Media Host: Gregg Malkary - Spyglass Consulting Group Cohost: Keith Washington - Companions in Courage Foundation Sponsored by: Simplifi Medical & Storage Systems Unlimited Audio/Video: Tim Jones - Health Nuts Media Marketing: Josh Troop - Troop-Creative Learn More at: www.beyond-blueprint.com