Digital Story work is Deep Listening
Stories can be told by patients, relatives or staff about their first hand experience

WHAT is a digital story?
​Digital stories are voice recordings put together with images to create a short video
​
The model has three basic principles:
It is a 1st person story
It is always short – usually under 3 minutes
The storyteller remains the director of the story – it is co-produced 

WHY we make them?
To help the teller process what is happening to them
To communicate and share best practice
To advocate and improve our practice

In Swansea Bay Health Board digital storytelling is our main method of gathering feedback stories. Digital patient stories are ideal for helping people get their voices heard in a way that leads to learning and service improvement. The stories are very memorable and build empathy in the listener which leads to changes in practice.

Here are some examples:

As a result of this story the family room was refurbished and the policy on family witnessed resuscitation was changed. 3 mins

​This story shared best practice at the start of a new pressure ulcer prevention service. 3 mins

Following this story money was allocated to improve perinatal mental health services and women have a very different experience now when they need support. 4.7 mins

​This story tells how Jason has been supported by Jan from the NHS homeless team. 3 mins

Two stories from staff telling some good things that happened during 2020 pandemic.
​Story in English with Welsh text

Cathy Dowling, Assistant Director of Nursing & Patient Experience at Swansea Bay Health Board talks about how the project got established. 2.7 mins

Here are some questions storytellers may ask:
What is the benefit of telling my story?
By listening to your story we can learn what is good and what needs to get better.

How will my story be recorded?
A story facilitator will meet with you in person or on a video call and they will help you tell your story and record it.

Who will edit it?
The story facilitator will edit the recording in line with what you have said is important to you. You will be able to check the edit before the video is made.

How will the images be chosen?
You can choose any images you wish, they can be photographs or drawings.

Who will see my finished story?
When you are happy that the digital story is finalised you will be able to choose who sees the story from a list on a consent form. This information will be added to the start of the story so that it is always visible.

Will I be able to withdraw my consent for its use in the future?
You will be given a contact so that you can withdraw consent in future. If you ask us to, we will delete the story from all our systems and any internet copies that we have control of.

Will I be able to be anonymous if I choose?
Absolutely – there is no need for your name or face to appear in the story – it is your choice.