Narrative Medicine

"The effective practice of medicine requires narrative competence, that is, the ability to acknowledge, absorb, interpret, and act on the stories and plights of others. Medicine practiced with narrative competence, called narrative medicine, is proposed as a model for humane and effective medical practice. Adopting methods such as close reading of literature and reflective writing allows narrative medicine to examine and illuminate 4 of medicine's central narrative situations: physician and patient, physician and self, physician and colleagues, and physicians and society. With narrative competence, physicians can reach and join their patients in illness, recognise their own personal journeys through medicine, acknowledge kinship with and duties toward other health care professionals, and inaugurate consequential discourse with the public about health care. By bridging the divides that separate physicians from patients, themselves, colleagues, and society, narrative medicine offers fresh opportunities for respectful, empathic, and nourishing medical care." [1]

"Physicians who are able to appreciate the nuances of their patients' stories will enjoy their patient encounters more, will understand the patient's illness more confidently (not to mention more economically) and, in relating back to the patient what's going on, will more effectively treat the problem. For his part, the patient will feel that he's been heard and will believe he is known and understood and is more likely to accept the story the doctor tells him back even if diagnosis does not involve tests, and treatment is reassurance and/or watchful waiting." [2]

"Narrative competence is the competence that human beings use to absorb, interpret, and respond to stories others tell. Everyone has a story to tell. Along with scientific ability, physicians need the ability to listen to the narratives of the patient, grasp and honor their meaning, and be moved to act on the patient's behalf." [3]