The Principles and Practice of Narrative Medicine

Derived from the humanities and patient-centred care, narrative medicine unites patients, doctors, nurses, therapists and health activists to reimagine healthcare based on trust, credibility, humility and mutual recognition . More than a decade of education and research has crystallised the goals and methods of narrative medicine, leading to increasingly effective means of improving the care that patients receive. The methods described in this book use creativity and insight to help professionals stay with patients, not just diagnose and treat them. Narrative medicine training in literary theory, philosophy, narrative ethics and the creative arts enhances the ability of clinicians to see the suffering of patients and to help them harmonise or survive the chaos of illness.