The Narrative-Based Medicine Lab (NBM Lab) is a new hub for innovation in narrative-based clinical practice. Our community includes health practitioners, scholars, writers, and advocates. We are driven by a shared interest in the essential role that narrative plays in healthcare experiences and encounters.

CPD Offerings

Our flagship Foundational Certificate introduces the core tenets of the field in a longitudinal format that allows learners to hone key skills in close listening, reading, and reflection.

Shorter, standalone offerings include workshops, multi-session series, and special events that delve into a specific focus or emergent topic. Offerings have explored visual narrative, creative writing, moral injury in healthcare, and communication in end-of-life care, among other focuses.

Free Community Events

Interested in learning more about NBM? Join our free Literary Lunch Hours, which offer short introductions to the field through interactive activities. For those familiar with the field looking to engage with other professionals working on narrative-aligned projects in healthcare, we invite you to attend our free Coffee Hours.

While many of these events take place online, we do organize special events in Toronto that allow learners to connect in person. Upcoming offerings will be posted on our website.

NBM Talks Podcast

Discover the rewarding possibilities that exist when we engage with narrative-based principles and practices in healthcare. Listen to engaging conversations with talented guests on our NBM Talks podcast available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

September 12 – December 5, 2025

Implement sustainable solutions for better health outcomes.

Through 7 collaborative sessions the Taking Action on Planetary Health Certificate Program guides learners through the process of developing a climate-resilient action plan for their clinical practice. Collaborating with other healthcare providers, you’ll discover how we can work together to build a more healthy, sustainable, and just future for our communities.

Visit planetaryhealthaction.ca to learn more and register.

Please join us in congratulating recipients of this year’s CPD Awards for their significant contributions to continuing professional development during the academic year of July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.

These individuals reflect our commitment to promoting life-long learning and advancing CPD for health professionals through demonstrated excellence in innovation and collaboration. The winners are:

Colin Woolf Award for Excellence in Program Development and Coordination
New and Evolving Academic Leaders (NEAL) Program
Catherine Creede-Desmarais (Program Lead, NEAL Program, Centre for Faculty Development)

David Fear Fellowship
Karen Wang (Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry)

Excellence in Interprofessional CPD Award
2024 Future of Psychotherapy Conference
Rajeevan Rasasingham (Associate Professor and Director of CPPD, Department of Psychiatry)

Ivan Silver Innovation Award
Petal Abdool (Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Faculty Lead, Simulation Education Integration, PGME)

We would also like to thank all nominators for helping us recognize members of our CPD community who are making an impact. You can learn more about our annual CPD Awards by reading full award descriptions and eligibility criteria on the Awards & Fellowships section of our website.

From clinical notes and electronic records, to consultation requests and discharge summaries, learn how to improve your medical records in practice in the updated Medical Record-Keeping program

New delivery formats. More options to fit your schedule.

Participate entirely online across 2 afternoons. Or, join other learners in downtown Toronto and complete the core program in a single day. Both formats will help you develop medical record-keeping skills and best practices through case-based exercises, peer assessments, and interactive training with practice tools

Visit cpd.utoronto.ca/recordkeeping to learn more and register for an upcoming offering.

March 26 – June 18, 2025

From personal branding to powerful storytelling, master core skills that can propel you into the next phase of your healthcare leadership journey. Elevate your professional voice, effectively motivate teams, and inspire support with evidence-based frameworks and proven communication techniques in the Leadership Communication certificate program.

Visit the program website to learn more and register.

Leading this program is renowned executive communication coach, keynote speaker, and podcaster Andrea Wojnicki MBA, DBA. She’s helped thousands of professionals improve their communication skills and catapult their careers.

Listen to insights on her popular podcast: Talk About Talk

January 16 – March 20, 2025

From managing team workflows with digital apps to streamlining waiting area spaces, discover how design thinking can enhance efficiency and effectiveness in all aspects of healthcare.

Develop a deeper understanding of patient and health care provider perspectives. Learn how to design healthcare systems, services, and products for better health experiences and outcomes in the Health by Design certificate program.

Visit healthbydesigncpd.ca to learn more and register.

January 21 – June 17, 2025

Begin your journey of personal and professional growth in the new year. Thrive with coaching tools and approaches.

Discover how working with a coaching approach can facilitate creativity, enhance productivity, and help restore our sense of purpose as professionals in healthcare. Foster skills for practice improvement and resilience over the course of 10 guided sessions in Coaching Essentials for Healthcare Professionals.

Visit cpd.utoronto.ca/coaching-essentials to learn more and register.

Medical records tell the complete story of a patient’s healthcare journey. Good medical record-keeping is essential to providing high-quality patient care.

Improve your medical records in practice in Medical Record-Keeping. Develop skills and best practices for medical record-keeping through case-based exercises, peer assessments, and training on practice tools in this highly interactive online program.

Visit cpd.utoronto.ca/recordkeeping to learn more and register for an upcoming offering.

September 20 – December 13, 2024

Implement sustainable solutions for better health outcomes.

Through 7 collaborative sessions the Taking Action on Planetary Health Certificate Program guides learners through the process of developing a climate-resilient action plan for their clinical practice. Collaborating with other healthcare providers, you’ll discover how we can work together to build a more healthy, sustainable, and just future for our communities.

Visit planetaryhealthaction.ca to learn more and register.