In an era where attention spans are short and information overload is constant, one timeless skill is reshaping the future of medical education: storytelling.
At first glance, the idea of using narrative techniques to teach healthcare professionals might sound unconventional. Yet, stories have always been how humans learn, by connecting facts with emotion, context, and memory. In medical education, where understanding and empathy go hand in hand, storytelling can transform clinical training into meaningful, lasting learning experiences.
At MicrolearningCONF, Continuing Education Manager Pamela Funes of Kenes Group explored this very concept in her talk, “How to Make Medical Learning Stick with Powerful Stories.” Drawing from her experience with UNLOK, Kenes Group’s digital education platform, Pamela shared how storytelling, when combined with microlearning principles, can make even complex medical topics memorable, accessible, and deeply human.
Below, she discusses her inspiration, the science behind storytelling, and how educators can start using narrative to create impactful learning experiences, even in the digital age.
Interview with Pamela Funes, Continuing Education Manager, Kenes Group
Q: What first inspired you to apply storytelling techniques in medical education?
Pamela: I grew up in Argentina in a family of doctors, and I think that’s where my love for stories in medicine began. I remember sitting in my dad’s clinic and walking with my mom through hospital corridors, imagining what had brought each person there. I sensed then something that I believe strongly today, every diagnosis is part of someone’s story.
When we design learning experiences that connect knowledge with emotion and real-life context, people remember it. That’s exactly what storytelling achieves, it transforms data into something meaningful, making learning not just informative but memorable.
Q: In your talk, you described stories as “our oldest learning technology.” Why do you think stories are still so effective today, especially in healthcare education?
Pamela: We are naturally attracted to stories because they help us make sense of the world. As children, we learn key values through honesty, caution, empathy. These stories endure because they connect facts to feelings. In healthcare, patient stories transform abstract concepts into human experiences, helping learners retain knowledge because it’s tied to emotion and empathy.
Storytelling also aligns with adult learning principles: it creates relevance, connects new knowledge to prior experience, encourages reflection, and fosters emotional engagement.
Q: Could you share an example from your MicrolearningCONF talk where using a patient story made learning “stick” better than traditional methods?
Pamela: I presented a course that helps healthcare professionals communicate about breastfeeding with first-time parents. Learners followed the story of Lina and Jordan, a couple seeking guidance from their doctor, and had to respond to their questions in a simulated consultation.
The results were striking: higher enrolment and completion rates than similar courses, and participants reported greater confidence in real-life conversations. By blending storytelling with roleplay, we turned theory into lived experience. That emotional connection made the learning truly stick.
Q: You mentioned that stories provide “cognitive scaffolding” – anchoring facts in emotion and context. How does that work in practice?
Pamela: Stories activate multiple brain regions – language, emotion, and sensory processing, creating more neural pathways for memory. Think about those anecdotes we never forget because they happened to “a friend of a friend.” Every time we recall them, the memory becomes stronger. Storytelling creates that same neurological reinforcement for learning.
Q: Many educators worry that stories might oversimplify complex science. How can they balance accuracy with engagement?
Pamela: A story doesn’t need to replace the science, but it can frame it. By starting with a person instead of a topic, we create emotional relevance and give learners a reason to care about what comes next. It’s not about simplifying content; it’s about humanising it.
Q: In your session, you showed confidence scores rising after storytelling-based exercises. Why do learners respond so strongly to this method?
Pamela: Because narratives integrate knowledge with application. While someone might forget a protocol, they’ll remember helping “Lina and Jordan.” Embedding information in relatable cases enhances motivation and self-efficacy. Learners don’t just absorb information – they experience it.
Q: Role-playing was one of the techniques you highlighted. How does it deepen the learning experience?
Pamela: Role-playing lets participants apply knowledge in a safe environment. They make decisions, see outcomes, and reflect, which transforms abstract information into lived experience. That’s where real learning happens.
Q: Microlearning is all about brevity. How can storytelling remain powerful when condensed into short formats?
Pamela: Even short stories can be powerful if they have the right ingredients: a relatable character, a challenge, and a resolution. In microlearning, each short narrative can stand alone or unfold across several modules, keeping learners emotionally engaged while meeting clear objectives.
Q: You recently presented at MicrolearningCONF, organised by MicroLabs. What was the experience like?
Pamela: It was a wonderful, energetic, interactive experience, full of practical insights. The audience engagement was incredible; their ‘round of emojis’ adds such positive energy. It’s a vibrant community that truly values sharing and innovation.
Q: Do you see platforms like MicroLabs creating new opportunities for storytelling in digital-first education?
Pamela: Absolutely. Tools like 7taps make it easy to create short, story-driven courses without technical barriers. They’re mobile-first and intuitive, enabling educators to design meaningful learning moments in minutes.
Q: Looking ahead, where do you see the biggest opportunities for storytelling in continuing medical education?
Pamela: With AI and digital tools advancing, I see huge potential for immersive, story-based learning, from short films to avatar-led simulations that bring scenarios to life. Imagine a Netflix-like experience for medical education, where every lesson feels cinematic and emotionally engaging. That’s the future I’m excited about.
Takeaway: Human First, Always
The message, at its core, is universal: emotion is not the enemy of science. It’s what makes it memorable.
For educators, the key is to start with a person, not a topic; to build empathy into learning design; and to let stories carry the science home.
“When learners care,” says Funes, “they remember. That’s how we make learning stick.”
To learn more about Pamela’s work and the UNLOK education platform, visit unlok-education.com
- Watch Pamela’s MicrolearningCONF talk here
- See the infographic: 5 Tips to Make Medical Learning Stick with Powerful Stories
