What is narrative medicine? Finding humanity in health care

What is narrative medicine? Finding humanity in health care 
Rheumatology Advisor; by Matthew Eck, MS; 10/25/24 
Health care requires humanity. At its roots, narrative medicine embodies this ideology. Coined in 2000 by internist and scholar Rita Charon, MD, PhD, the field is “medicine practiced with the narrative competence to recognize, interpret, and be moved to action by the predicament of others.” ... Narrative medicine is less a specific practice and more a theoretical framework that equips caregivers and health care professionals with tools to provide more holistic care. These tools stem from storytelling principles and literature, which can hone our empathic and listening skills. ... Medical schools across the country are increasingly tailoring their curricula to include humanities-focused aspects, ... Conclusion: Regardless of one’s feelings about health care infrastructure in the United States, narrative medicine illuminates a profound truth — more can be done to accommodate patients of different backgrounds. Narrative medicine can offer health care providers a new way of thinking, attending, and recognizing. It could bring us closer to the human condition than ever before.