Narrative Medicine: A Model for Empathy, Reflection, Profession, and Trust

By: Rita Charon, MD, PhD

This article does a wonderful job demonstrating how much of a difference doctors can make by furthering their understanding and compassion with their patients. Patients seek medical attention for their illnesses, in hopes that the healthcare professionals may discover a solution and provide treatment. However, it is not often interpreted that patients often need more than this. They need comfort, understanding, and empathy for what they are experiencing or for what is to come. Healthcare is a sensitive occupation because it directly affects the lives of other individuals. As human beings, it is difficult to address situations without using feelings. There are times when it is important to remain objective, however there are also times where it is important to relate to the patient.

            As the article states, scientifically competent medicine alone can’t help a patient handle the loss of health or find meaning in suffering. Thus, a better education in medicine not only involves science and evidence, it also involves reflective literature of actual stories—stories that can prepare the physician of how to address certain situations, what reactions to expect, and how such reactions can be handled. Medical school curriculum does a wonderful job informing their students of boundless information regarding diseases, how to treat, how to prevent, etc. However, this does nothing to contribute to the emotions and turmoil that may be encountered.

            Thus, narrative medicine enhances the skills of practicing doctors. These doctors will develop a well-rounded education that introduces them to another aspect of healthcare. This aspect is crucial to providing the best care possible. Patients need guidance, not only in how to take care of their illnesses, but also in how to cope and address what is to come. If the physicians have not experienced such emotions or scenarios, it is more difficult to handle as needed. By studying narrative medicine, they are given the opportunity to review various situations, understand what the patients’ needs were and how they were addressed, as well as being the care provider that made a difference in the situation.

            It is understandable that every situation varies from one to the next. Thus, what one physician does regarding a specific patient can differ greatly from what another does in a different situation. Narrative medicine is an attempt to enlighten students on how to acknowledge, absorb, interpret, and act on the stories and plights of others (Charon, 2001). This gives them an overview of different scenarios and allows them to seek understanding of how, in a specific circumstance, to achieve the ultimate goal: providing the best care possible for their patients. Regardless of the illness, every patient seeks compassion and empathy for their struggles. Narrative medicine improves a physician’s understanding of these needs.

            In reviewing this article, I am completely in favor of narrative medicine. I think it is an enriching advancement to an already outstanding education. With the addition of this curriculum, both doctors and patients will benefit. Doctors will develop a deeper understanding of what lies behind the medicine, the true involvement of their work and the true purpose for providing healthcare. As mentioned previously, patients need more than just an antidote. Struggles are difficult to bear and necessitate further understanding and attention.

References

Charon, R. (2001). Narrative medicine: A model for empathy, reflection, profession, and trust.

American Medical Association, 286. Retrieved from http://blackboard.jchs.edu/webapps/

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