Pivoting During the Time of COVID-19: The Implementation of an Online Writing Program

Expressive writing is associated with gains in clinical and non-clinical populations. Expressive writing has been particularly effective with vulnerable populations that may lack access to services. The Writers Collective of Canada (WCC) offers expressive writing workshops aimed at reducing social isolation for those in marginalized communities. COVID-19 required WCC to pivot their original program offerings of inperson workshops to virtual workshops. Given the dearth of information regarding the effectiveness of synchronous online expressive writing groups, a program evaluation of the online program was conducted. This project was a mixed-methods implementation evaluation that utilized the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR) approach and consisted of three studies. Study 1 was an implementation qualitative case study. Study 2 was a mixed method utilization-focused evaluation (UFE) that focused on attendees of closed-registration workshops. Study 3 was a mixed method UFE that focused on attendees and facilitators of open-registration workshops. Data collection for all three studies occurred between June 2020 and May 2021. For the implementation case study, interviews with stakeholders (N = 6) were conducted to delineate WCC's implementation process, looking at all five CFIR domains. The focus of the mixed-method UFEs was reflecting and evaluating, a subcategory of the final CFIR domain. Similar results were found across both the closed- and open-registration participants. Quantitative data showed participants of closed-registration groups (attendees: N = 21) and open-registration groups (attendees: N = 17, facilitators: N = 23) endorsed improvement across outcomes and found the program to be acceptable. Qualitative data captured information regarding what worked well, issues that impacted participation, and suggested changes. The quantitative data demonstrated that attendees of both groups endorsed change in the areas queried, including hope, creativity, connection with others, self-expression, writing abilities, empowerment of voice, and leadership skills. Facilitators of the open-registration groups endorsed change in the areas queried, including satisfaction, creativity, connection with others, compassion, writing abilities, wellbeing, and leadership skills. The results from this study may be helpful for those considering offering online expressive writing workshops. The results of this evaluation can be a useful tool for WCC as they continue to grow their reach.