Chapter Twelve: Picture it.
The Objective of this reflection is to think outside the box and engage creatively (pictorially) with a recent encounter you have had.
Inevitably the visit you will choose is complicated with multi facets and considerations.
Pictures are often a better medium than the written word for unpacking encounters. Pictures facilitate a dynamic and holistic representation of the scenario.
A picture, sketch, or cartoon of your encounter which shows the main characters and the relationship and the background objects - tables, bed, chairs, cards, flowers etc. can lead to a deep understanding of the visit.
Drawing a picture may feel out of your comfort zone at first but it is well worth enduring!
Afterwards, you will use the sketch as a reference point when you explain the encounter to two other group members.
Format: divide into triplets for discussion, first person describes the sketch, second and third members listen and comment then the others reciprocate and describe their sketch.
Conclude with a plenary coming together.
Time: Allow 60 minutes
Materials needed: Paper and pencils
A. Alone, draw a recent encounter you experienced on the wards that you would like to discuss and learn from - 10-15 minutes
B. In threes, show and describe your sketch. Briefly say why you have chosen that patient. How did that visit make you feel?
C. Speak about potential dangers within the encounter.
D. How can you develop as a chaplaincy visitor following this encounter?
Themes: If you wish to have uniformity in the encounters then suggest one of the following themes to draw.
• I was trying to help in an impossible circumstance
• Drawing conflict – an encounter with patient; family; colleagues
• ‘Unrewarding patients’ – frightening; unpleasant; ungrateful; uncooperative;
• What this patient taught me
• I am human too – where the personal and professional overlaps
• I was thrown in at the deep end
• Drawing on my mistake: coping with the impact. learning and growing
