UCalgary alum showcases the power of digital storytelling

When he was 25, Dr. Michael Lang, MSc'15, PhD'22, had two life goals: to ski at least 200 days each year, and to spend more time sleeping outside than indoors.

A cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment experience, however, would present him with radically different opportunities, including creating award winning documentaries and digital stories, and ultimately earning a PhD from the University of Calgary. 

“Stories are the way wisdom is passed along, and those interested in stories and storytelling are special people in the world,” Lang said at the Faculty of Nursing’s annual Marguerite Schumacher Memorial Alumni Lecture on Oct. 4, where he spoke about his work in digital storytelling. 

Using three short films and various concepts from the field of philosophical hermeneutics, Lang’s lecture illustrated how stories can help us cultivate a deeper understanding of ourselves and others, and enable us to have more meaningful conversations about complex topics. 

Seeing the whole patient

When Lang was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at the age of 25, he was offered radiation therapy as one part of his treatment protocol. Hearing that this treatment was likely to reduce his lung capacity, he initially decided it wasn’t for him. Reduced lung capacity could significantly affect his abilities as a mountain climber and skier, activities that were central to Lang’s identity at the time. 

During a second appointment with his radiation oncologist, it became apparent that doctor was not solely seeing a disease to be cured, but rather he saw Lang as an individual and in doing so understood the impact the treatment plan could have on Lang’s quality of life. Through a profound moment of connection and understanding, the doctor explained that, although radiation would affect his lung capacity, it was still possible for him to continue the activities that were fundamental to his identity.

Digital stories as a health-care tool 

This experience formed the first of Lang’s digital stories, which eventually won multiple awards and was turned into an educational curriculum about person-centred care.

This was the catalyst for a new career: using storytelling as a tool in health care for education, advocacy, research and as a therapeutic experience. 

Over the past 14 years, Lang has been able to work with more than 1,000 patients, family caregivers and health-care providers to create digital stories that share the important moments of their health-care experiences. 

Amongst a broad range of topics, Lang’s digital stories have explored grief, the role of young caregivers, and medical assistance in dying. He works with researchers, non-profits and health-care organizations around the world to create digital stories in the health-care and therapy environments. 

“In a clinical setting, there is the said, the unsaid and the unsayable," said Lang. 

"I hope that watching and discussing digital stories will help those involved in patient care explore the unsaid and unsayable, because often this is key to positive treatment outcomes.”

Nursing Dean Catherine Laing, PhD, added: “Over a very entertaining hour, unpacking the many facets of digital storytelling, Mike helped us appreciate the power of a story to start meaningful conversations.”