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rwcarter's review
5.0
This book is a comprehensive, well written, and engaging summary of the tenets of an emerging field in medicine known as Narrative Medicine. The goal of this field is to enhance and strengthen the relationship between patient and physician in order to improve the health care experience for both parties by allowing patients to speak beyond the framework of "Where does it hurt?" and situating physicians in their role as receivers of stories.
The groundwork for this field is based on the idea that humans think in stories, which is perhaps so obvious that it is taken for granted. Any kind of scientific theory is a story, a tracing of cause and effect (what could be called 'plot') connecting seemingly disparate events as a way to explain their occurrence. Indeed, as humans, we experience our world through stories. Our very concept of time (this happened, then this, then this) is based in a narrative such that narrative itself could be said to define our reality. Using this theory of world-as-story and uncovering a practical use for it in medicine, Dr. Charon describes how physicians can apply themes in literary studies to learn to better analyze the stories their patients tell them.
Charon provides enriching background on narratology and literary theory in a way that is quite accessible. She then draws connections between themes in literary theory and close reading of texts to the clinical experience to highlight the textual aspects of this encounter. Charon claims that both writing about patient encounters and dissecting writings of other physicians and the stories of patients can foment emotional awareness in healthcare workers of all kinds.
If you want a TLDR for this book, read chapter 8. Dr. Charon gives examples of a program she created called "Parallel Charts" where medical students, alongside their traditional, heavily regimented and regulated charting of their patients, also write down their thoughts about the encounter in words not generally allowed in the institution of medicine. In doing so, students organize their emotional thoughts in ways that empower them to be more receptive to the feelings of their patients and colleagues. In creating and sharing textual work, health care workers refine their ability to discuss the intangible topics of medicine and better grapple with difficult themes such as death and social determinants of health.
All in all, a well crafted explanation of the field and all the theory that went into its creation.
The groundwork for this field is based on the idea that humans think in stories, which is perhaps so obvious that it is taken for granted. Any kind of scientific theory is a story, a tracing of cause and effect (what could be called 'plot') connecting seemingly disparate events as a way to explain their occurrence. Indeed, as humans, we experience our world through stories. Our very concept of time (this happened, then this, then this) is based in a narrative such that narrative itself could be said to define our reality. Using this theory of world-as-story and uncovering a practical use for it in medicine, Dr. Charon describes how physicians can apply themes in literary studies to learn to better analyze the stories their patients tell them.
Charon provides enriching background on narratology and literary theory in a way that is quite accessible. She then draws connections between themes in literary theory and close reading of texts to the clinical experience to highlight the textual aspects of this encounter. Charon claims that both writing about patient encounters and dissecting writings of other physicians and the stories of patients can foment emotional awareness in healthcare workers of all kinds.
If you want a TLDR for this book, read chapter 8. Dr. Charon gives examples of a program she created called "Parallel Charts" where medical students, alongside their traditional, heavily regimented and regulated charting of their patients, also write down their thoughts about the encounter in words not generally allowed in the institution of medicine. In doing so, students organize their emotional thoughts in ways that empower them to be more receptive to the feelings of their patients and colleagues. In creating and sharing textual work, health care workers refine their ability to discuss the intangible topics of medicine and better grapple with difficult themes such as death and social determinants of health.
All in all, a well crafted explanation of the field and all the theory that went into its creation.
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