In a time where burnout in medicine is at an all-time high and there appears to be a widening disconnect between physicians and patients, it is more important than ever that we, as physicians and medical students, develop healthy modes of expression and reflection. Through mindful and intentional reflection, we can cultivate and refine empathy and strengthen the physician-patient relationship. Narrative medicine is one outlet through which we can achieve these goals.
AAEM/RSA recognizes the benefits of reflection in emergency medicine and has developed a repository of writing resources for those interested in getting started in narrative medicine. If you enjoy writing and are interested in incorporating writing into your physician practice, we encourage you to explore this guide!
What is narrative medicine? Why is it important? How can I use it in my daily life and practice? Take a moment to watch some of the videos or read one of the articles below to get a better idea of the benefits and power of narrative medicine.
Have writer’s block? Never written a narrative medicine piece before? Just don’t know where to start? Explore the resources linked below for exercises, prompts, and advice on getting started in narrative medicine.
While pursuing a master’s degree in narrative medicine is certainly an option, there are some opportunities to get involved in narrative medicine that require less time and money. Here are a couple workshops where you can further develop your writing and reflection skills:
Minding HIPAA of course, there are several journals exclusively geared toward publishing narrative medicine essays, dedicate a specific column to narrative medicine pieces, or occasionally welcome these types of works into their publications. If you have a desire to publish your work, check out the following journals/magazines:
If you are seeking out materials to assist in teaching others about narrative medicine, such as for a medical student lecture, peer workshop, or scholarly activity project, here are few resources to assist in the development of your session or curriculum.