WORKSHOP: Pausing in Surprise: An Expressive Writing Workshop
Presenting Author(s): Dr. Janet De Groot, MD, FRCPC, Dr. Elizabeth Wallace, MD, FRCPC
Date and time: 21 Mar 2026 from 13:15 to 14:15
Location: Beehive & Lakeshore
Learning Objectives
1. Describe evidence for the health-related benefits of expressive writing;
2. Participate in deep listening of readings; and
3. Engage in writing for creativity, self-awareness and health benefits.
Abstract
Background: Change is constant. In healthcare we have moved from Alberta Health Services to Recovery Alberta; we may switch public healthcare alone, to including private healthcare in Alberta, and our lifelong learning flits from CME, to MOCOMP and now we document PPIPs. Climate change, global warfare, and tariffs are also currently forefront. And throughout we experience personal change, in relationships, health, family and ourselves. How might planned personal development protect us from burnout and support joy?
Workshop: We will introduce literature on surprise [grief and hope] and consider how pausing for small surprises may enhance our presence, and self-awareness. Expressive writing offers opportunities for reflection and enhanced well-being. Pennebaker and Smyth's research conveys how 3-5 sessions of writing about stressful events, enhances psychological well-being and potentially work life improvement. Additionally, Peterkin emphasizes expressive writing improves narrative competence, potentially enhancing insight, agency and emotional integration of challenging events.
Interactive Elements: This experiential, interactive workshop will briefly review the evidence base for expressive writing and health. Subsequently, we will provide two readings, following each with prompts for quick writes of 5 minutes or less. Participants will be invited, but not expected, to share their writing in small groups. As a large group, we will reflect on the experience of and themes that arose with quick writes. Suggestions for including expressive writing for a personal development strategy will be discussed.
Literature References
1. Pennebaker JW, Smyth JM. Opening up by writing it down. How expressive writing improves health and eases emotional pain. Third Edition. The Guilford Press, New York. 2016
2. Peterkin AD, Prettyman AA. Finding a voice. Revisiting the history of therapeutic writing. J Med Ethics. Medical Humanities 2009;35:80-88.
3. Sitter KC, Gamboa J, de Groot JM. Language of the heart. Creating digital stories and found poetry to understand patients' experience living with advanced cancer. Curr Oncol 2025; 32(2): 61 https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/2/61