Narrative Matters: Writing to Change the Health Care System

by Jessica Bylander (Editor), Abraham Verghese (Foreword)

Drawn from the popular "Narrative Matters" column in the journal Health Affairs , these essays embody a vision for a health care system that centers the humanity of patients and doctors alike. Health care decision making affects patients and families first and foremost, yet their perspectives are not always factored into health policy deliberations and discussions. In this anthology, Jessica Bylander brings together the personal stories of the patients, physicians, caregivers, policy makers, and others whose writings add much-needed human context to health care decision making. Drawn from the popular "Narrative Matters" column in the leading health policy journal Health Affairs , this collection features essays by some of the leading minds in health care today, including Pulitzer Prize–winner Siddhartha Mukherjee, MacArthur fellow Diane Meier, former Planned Parenthood president Leana S. Wen, and former secretary of health and human services Louis W. Sullivan. The collection also presents important stories from lesser-known voices, including a transgender doctor in Oklahoma who calls for better treatment of trans patients and a palliative care physician who reflects on how perspectives on hastening death have changed in recent years. A foreword written by National Humanities Medal recipient Abraham Verghese, MD, further rounds out the book. The collection of thirty-two essays is organized around several themes: • the practice of medicine
• medical innovation and research
• patient-centered care
• the doctor-patient relationship
• disparities and discrimination
• aging and end-of-life care
• maternity and childbirth
• opioids and substance abuse Contributors: Louise Aronson, Laura Arrowsmith, Cheryl Bettigole, Cindy Brach, Gary Epstein-Lubow, Jonathan Friedlaender, Patricia Gabow, Katti Gray, Yasmin Sokkar Harker, Timothy Hoff, Carla Keirns, Raya Elfadel Kheirbek, Katy B. Kozhimannil, Pooja Lagisetty, Maria Maldonado, Maureen A. Mavrinac, Diane E. Meier, Dina Keller Moss, Siddhartha Mukherjee, Donna Jackson Nakazawa, Travis N. Rieder, Aroonsiri Sangarlangkarn, Elaine Schattner, Janice Lynch Schuster, Myrick C. Shinall, Gayathri Subramanian, Louis W. Sullivan, Gautham K. Suresh, Abraham Verghese, Otis Warren, Leana S. Wen, Charlotte Yeh

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2020

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a healthcare provider (genetic counselor), I found these essays to be incredibly valuable and motivating. I took away ideas for my own practice, places to advocate for better care and change in the healthcare system, and a lot of new knowledge about issues such as addiction and end of life care. This book would also be an excellent addition to healthcare provider education (no matter the specific profession, but certainly physicians)! Wonderfully curated collection with some well known names and excellent writing.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a comprehensive book covering a good number of issues in the healthcare field across a field of subjects, from maternal health to addiction to end-of-life care (the last section was my most favorite). Every writer who contributed wrote in a concise, personal, and beautiful manner, using personal anecdotes to describe dilemmas while drawing upon their own expertise to suggest solutions. Some stories end on a hopeful note, while others leave you pondering and raging for more change. All in all, I'd recommend this book to anyone who works, has been impacted by, or is interested in America's problematic healthcare system.