Once upon a time (recently, actually), VPSA’s Community Building & Wellness (CB&W) Task Group approved funding for Short Story Disc, a digital service from which VMDAS members can download unlimited content for free on their smartphone and take story reading to a whole new level. The service offers bites of literature in one-, three- or five-minute reading times. There’s access to thousands of fiction and creative non-fiction works written by writers worldwide, in the form of short stories, poetry, and comics. You can access Short Story Disc content via a QR code on display in the VMDAS Hub for Engagement and Wellness at VGH.

Dr. Shaqil Peermohamed brought the idea to the attention of the CB&W Task Group. He first discovered Short Edition at the Countway Library at Harvard University when completing his Master of Public Health. He thought it was such a novel idea to access and read original, diverse, and creative works of literature.

“I have found it useful to access a short read to reduce stress, inspire creativity, and bring myself joy,” said Dr. Peermohamed. “I read while waiting for an elevator at VGH or waiting in line for a coffee. I also encourage colleagues, residents and medical students to read non-medical literature to reduce burnout and promote resilience.”

Studies have shown that as residents and physicians read more non-medical books, burnout decreases. Reading non-medical literature can reduce stress, foster empathy, inspire creativity, teach perspective taking, and create comfort with ambiguity. Furthermore, leisure reading can help us to create a better connection with patients by improving empathy and combating depersonalization.

“I am incredibly grateful to the task group for its support to turn the page and encourage reading non-medical literature as one strategy to reduce physician burnout,” added Dr. Peermohamed.