Narrative medicine shies away from conventional models of the 'doctor-patient relationship' and instead invites us to a fascinating exploration of the dynamics of the encounter. It reminds us that it is only when we allow ourselves to go beyond the patterns resulting from reassuring strategies of coexistence with others and habits favouring remaining in the comfort zone that we gain the chance to authentically experience contact in its wide spectrum of conditions, connections, meanings, feelings, ambiguities or hidden fears and needs. This orientation allows clinicians to practice medicine much more easily with a sense of relevance and with a greater commitment to the core goals of the profession."
Mateusz K. Potoniec, Hubert Syzdek (excerpt from the introduction to the Polish edition)