The Power and Impact of Lived Experience When Stroke Survivors talk with Student Clinicians
Let me set the digital scene.
Thrill Seekers and Fellow Time Travellers, you may recall a blog I wrote recently to discuss an occasion when a fellow stroke survivor [Ms Stephanie Ho] and yours truly met with a group of student physiotherapists from the Australian Catholic University, North Sydney Campus.
As I mentioned, this was the eighth consecutive year that Stephanie and I had been invited by Associate Professor Simone Dorsch to share our stroke stories, our rehab journeys, insights, and learnings.
Interestingly both Steph and I come from management consulting backgrounds and whilst our stroke stories are quite different our conclusions, we presentare almost mirror images.
As Simone was in the UK speaking at an international Stroke Conference, the facilitator was Associate Professor Belinda Bilney, Assistant Deputy Head of School, Ballarat, Lecturer in Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health Australian Catholic University
A week on I have now received from both Simone and Belinda the feedback they have received from the students who attended, via ZOOM regarding their reactions to our lecture.
Why am I telling you this?
The Power and the Impact of Lived Experience.
I am referring to the power and impact of stroke survivors sharing their lived experience with other stakeholders in the stroke landscape. It is an activity that I espouse passionately.
Stroke and the accompanying trials and tribulations are unique to each stroke survivor and simply must be shared in order to assist those clinicians to edge closer to the eradication of stroke from our lives.
Back to the business at hand - the Feedback…
The comments/feedback were truly humbling and caused me to reflect on my involvement and whilst the feedback is unbelievably satisfying to receive, there was another message that I thought about at length.
And decided to write this message for you.
Belinda has graciously agreed to allow me to share her email to Stephanie and myself, which is as follows-
Hi Brian and Stephanie, “Thank you both for your fantastic presentation this morning, and for answering the students’ questions. Your messages on what it takes to be a great neuro physio were clear and inspiring.
I left your presentation this morning wishing I could go back into clinical practice and be a better clinician this time around - or perhaps I will have to leave it to the generation that you inspired this morning.
I know your slide presentations were both very personal – so I am not sure if you want to share your slides with the students. If you do, can you please forward to me, and I will post them on the students’ learning management system.
Once again thank you both for your willingness to share your time and experiences with the physio students this morning.
Kind regards,
Belinda”
In addition, these comments came from a tutorial following my lecture-
Feedback from Students
“Hi Brian, feedback from the students was positive ++. In our tutorial this week we had lots of – if you used that explanation with Brian – how do you think he might respond – can you try it again in another way. Do you think Brian would……and so on. You have now become part of the curriculum.
Belinda”
In an email to Simone, Belinda described our meeting with the students as ‘probably the most important things that they will learn in third year”
My reaction when I read these comments, 10 days later is “Wow”
As I have often said in my utterings and writing, these activities give me a level of satisfaction I would never have imagined. On a par with my achievement with the Capita Financial Group in 1986- those people who know my corporate career can appreciate the reference – but it was a biggee!
How can Clinicians harness the Power of Your Lived Experience.
If you are a stroke survivor and want to share your unique lived experience, take a few minutes and read my blog, Stroke Researchers - Stroke Clinicians - Stroke Survivors.The Perfect Trifecta, and there is a link, Get involved in Research. on the Stroke Foundation’s Web page. Click on and it details research projects which require your Lived Experience.
My Key Messages.
My message to Stroke Survivors - As a Stroke survivor I urge you to get involved. It is very satisfying and is part of my “Giving Back” strategy. Your knowledge/ insights will be welcomed, respected, and valued.
My message to Stroke Clinicians – If it is appropriate, discuss with your Stroke Survivor the benefits that they can give to those researchers and clinicians.
Brian A Beh- A Stroke Survivor