Creating Space 16: The Impact of Identities on Health and Wellbeing

Creating Space 16: The Impact of Identities on Health and Wellbeing

April 19-21, 2026 | Ottawa, Ontario

In Person Conference 

Call for Abstracts Now Open – Learn More! 

OBJECTIVES

1. Explore the impact of arts and humanities in health professions education and practice, including their role in fostering better outcomes.
2. Engage with the arts’ and humanities’ contribution to health professional wellness and create opportunities for growth and development
3. Elevate the voices of people with lived experience and build bridges between patients, the health care system and different culture

Professional identity formation is complex: Navigating our various identities affects our personal health, wellbeing, and our relationships with colleagues and those we care for. The arts and humanities (including indigenous ways of knowing, history, literature, poetry, theater, the performing arts, audio and video recordings and the visual arts) are often woven into the teaching, learning, development and practice of health professions. These holistic, integrated approaches deliver better outcomes for patients and their communities. They help clinicians develop insight, reduce burnout and compassion fatigue by making sense of their experiences not only as clinicians but also as learners and members of inter-disciplinary teams.

This exploration of identity and lived experience engenders culturally responsive, safe, healthcare settings, lowers barriers to care, and promotes empathy, communication skills and perspective-taking. Sharing voices and perspectives through the arts and humanities leads to advocacy for social and cultural change.

“Identity”, the theme of this year’s conference of the Canadian Association of Health Humanities, is foundational to health and wellbeing. This conference is the opportunity to creatively share how the arts and humanities improve healthcare and health professional education. And it will highlight opportunities to explore how notions of personal, professional or team identities can facilitate growth or change.

IMPORTANT DATES

• Call for Abstracts Opens: August 15, 2025
• Call for Abstracts Closes: November 3, 2025, 11:59PM Eastern Time
• Notification of Acceptances: December 2025
• Registration Opens: Early 2026
• Conference Dates: April 19-21, 2026

QUESTIONS?

Please contact cpd@uottawa.ca.