Narrative Medicine: Honoring the Stories of Illness

Narrative medicine emerged in response to a commodified healthcare system with corporate and bureaucratic demands. It was created from a combination of sources, including the humanities and medicine, narratology and research on doctor-patient relationships.... Narrative medicine helps physicians recognise patients and illness, transfer knowledge, accompany patients through the trials of illness and, according to Rita Charon, can ultimately lead to more humane, ethical and effective healthcare. With a background in medicine and literature, Rita Charon is a pioneer and authority in the emerging field of narrative medicine. Her book provides a comprehensive and systematic introduction to the conceptual principles of narrative medicine, as well as a practical guide to implementing narrative methods in healthcare.