Narrative Competence Framework
Empathy through storytelling
The Narrative Competence Framework is a approach to healthcare that emphasizes the importance of storytelling and empathy in the doctor-patient relationship. By using narrative techniques, healthcare professionals can better understand their patients' experiences and provide more effective care. This framework is based on the idea that stories have the power to heal and that by listening to and telling stories, we can create a more compassionate and effective healthcare system.
- Stories have the power to heal
- Empathy is essential for effective healthcare
- Narrative techniques can improve doctor-patient communication
- Keep a parallel chartKeep a separate chart to record patients' stories and emotions, in addition to their medical charts.Pro tipUse this chart to reflect on your own emotions and biasesWarningBe mindful of patient confidentiality
- Practice active listeningListen attentively to patients' stories and ask open-ended questions to encourage them to share more.Pro tipUse nonverbal cues to show empathy and understandingWarningAvoid interrupting or dismissing patients' concerns
- Use narrative techniquesUse storytelling techniques, such as reflection and summarization, to help patients make sense of their experiences.Pro tipUse patients' own words to reflect their stories back to themWarningAvoid imposing your own interpretations or biases
Dr. Charon's program to teach medical students narrative medicine has shown promising results in improving doctor-patient communication and patient outcomes.
The Narrative Competence Framework was developed by Dr. Rita Charon, a physician and literary scholar, who recognized the importance of storytelling in medicine. She created a program to teach medical students the art of narrative medicine, which includes keeping a 'parallel chart' of patients' stories and emotions, in addition to their medical charts.