A Method for Collaborative Storytelling: Supporting Public Health Transformation Through Practitioner-Driven...

Area of Science:

• Public Health Research Methods
• Qualitative Inquiry
• Health Communication

Background:

• Practitioner-driven narratives are crucial for public health transformation.
• Existing methods often position practitioners as subjects rather than co-creators.
• A need exists for rigorous, transparent, and accessible qualitative research models in public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a collaborative storytelling model for public health practitioners.
• To position practitioners as co-creators in narrative development and dissemination.
• To ensure research rigor and transparency by aligning with established qualitative criteria.

Main Methods:

• Grounded in constructivist and interpretive traditions, informed by duoethnography.
• Employs a structured, step-by-step process: practitioner engagement, interviews, iterative analysis, and narrative development.
• Utilizes Tracy's Big Tent Criteria for Excellent Qualitative Research to guide the process.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, and analytic value of the model.
• Illustrative applications include multicounty governance, health department accreditation, and organizational culture change.
• The model supports analytic depth, practitioner authenticity, and field relevance.

Conclusions:

• Collaborative storytelling is a practical strategy for public health transformation.
• Fosters perspective change, practitioner thought leadership, and organizational learning.
• Provides actionable guidance for leadership development, training, and capacity building.