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Narrative Medicine: Honoring the Stories of Illness
Narrative medicine has emerged in response to a commodified health care system that places corporate and bureaucratic concerns over the needs of the patient. Generated from a confluence of sources including humanities and medicine, primary care medicine, narratology, and the study of
doctor-patient relationships, narrative medicine is medicine practiced with the competence to recognize, absorb, interpret, and be moved by the stories of illness. By placing events in temporal order, with beginnings, middles, and ends, and by establishing connections among things using metaphor
and figural language, narrative medicine helps doctors to recognize patients and diseases, convey knowledge, accompany patients through the ordeals of illness--and according to Rita Charon, can ultimately lead to more humane, ethical, and effective health care.
Trained in medicine and in literary studies, Rita Charon is a pioneer of and authority on the emerging field of narrative medicine. In this important and long-awaited book she provides a comprehensive and systematic introduction to the conceptual principles underlying narrative medicine, as
well as a practical guide for implementing narrative methods in health care. A true milestone in the field, it will interest general readers, and experts in medicine and humanities, and literary theory.
doctor-patient relationships, narrative medicine is medicine practiced with the competence to recognize, absorb, interpret, and be moved by the stories of illness. By placing events in temporal order, with beginnings, middles, and ends, and by establishing connections among things using metaphor
and figural language, narrative medicine helps doctors to recognize patients and diseases, convey knowledge, accompany patients through the ordeals of illness--and according to Rita Charon, can ultimately lead to more humane, ethical, and effective health care.
Trained in medicine and in literary studies, Rita Charon is a pioneer of and authority on the emerging field of narrative medicine. In this important and long-awaited book she provides a comprehensive and systematic introduction to the conceptual principles underlying narrative medicine, as
well as a practical guide for implementing narrative methods in health care. A true milestone in the field, it will interest general readers, and experts in medicine and humanities, and literary theory.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
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958 people want to read
About the author
Rita Charon
11 books16 followersRita Charon is a physician, literary scholar and the founder and executive director of the Program in Narrative Medicine at Columbia University. She currently practices as a general internist at the Associates in Internal Medicine at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, and is a professor of clinical medicine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University.
Charon is the author of Narrative Medicine: Honoring the Stories of Illness and co-editor of Stories Matter: The Role of Narrative in Medical Ethics and Psychoanalysis and Narrative Medicine.
Charon is the author of Narrative Medicine: Honoring the Stories of Illness and co-editor of Stories Matter: The Role of Narrative in Medical Ethics and Psychoanalysis and Narrative Medicine.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 2, 2018
This is an interesting, yet dense academic work on the field of Narrative Medicine. In short, Narrative Medicine is a practice that physicians and other healthcare professionals can use in their work with patients -- to hear their patients' stories and to regard them as one would a literary text. Time and attention must be given to the context, the use of pronouns and overall narration, the temporality, the words spoken and unspoken.
This was not a new concept for me, personally. As a chaplain, we often speak of our patients as "living documents," -- a metaphor that comes from one of the early founders of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). However, I did appreciate the use of literary theory and technique to further understand narrative practice. I've long thought that CPE could be beneficial for all types of medical practitioners and perhaps the answer lies in Narrative Medicine.
This was not a new concept for me, personally. As a chaplain, we often speak of our patients as "living documents," -- a metaphor that comes from one of the early founders of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). However, I did appreciate the use of literary theory and technique to further understand narrative practice. I've long thought that CPE could be beneficial for all types of medical practitioners and perhaps the answer lies in Narrative Medicine.
August 7, 2022
A text that will alter one’s practice of medicine forever, for the better and immediately. I also I think it would be of benefit to persons not in health care, both as it provides an understanding of the profound complexities of caring patients, but also would provide the reader with the tools to meet their healthcare providers at the middle of the bridge of the relationship.
July 5, 2017
This book is a comprehensive, erudite, and academic work that lays the foundation for an entire field of study. The author provides the novice with a framework to dissect narrative, then draws on her experiences as a physician for the underserved, a teacher of medical students and residents, and as a scholar with a PhD in English to explain how medical education and narrative work synergistically to improve the therapeutic dyad between patients and caregivers and within caregiving teams. Having finished this book, I look forward to reading more of her writing and plan to delve into some of the writers she cites, inclining Henry James, Virginia Woolf, Leo Tolstoy, and Paul Farmer.
on-hiatus
December 31, 2015going on hiatus on page 118. My coworker borrowed this and then when she gave it back i was busy with other books. i am really enjoying it, but i'll leave it and come back to it after January
February 2, 2016
As I wrote after I read the book:
Wow!! What a book! Combines photograph, diastole, medicine, ethics, Paul Farmer, writing.
A pivotal book for me.
Wow!! What a book! Combines photograph, diastole, medicine, ethics, Paul Farmer, writing.
A pivotal book for me.
August 13, 2017
Very dense and repetitive on concepts
September 20, 2020
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.
February 5, 2022
An intriguing introduction to the practice of narrative medicine from its founder/primary advocate. N I enjoyed learning how the act of close reading and the utility of storytelling as a therapeutic device can bring more empathy and insight to doctors in a clinical setting. However, Ms. Charon's prose style is long-winded, often tedious, like the foot notes of a doctoral thesis moved to the front of a book. The valuable content of the book was often hidden by the murk of gauzy, winding sentences, one-too-many references to literary fiction and scholars of literary fiction or other academics than would be required to make her points.
Would read her chapter on close reading as a guidebook to reading and to better human interaction itself.
Would read her chapter on close reading as a guidebook to reading and to better human interaction itself.
August 6, 2025
Questo saggio mi è capitato tra le mani perché faceva parte dei libri di testo per un mio esame universitario. Sono contenta che la professoressa l'abbia inserito tra i testi obbligatori perché è stato particolarmente interessante: ha nutrito il mio desiderio di prendermi cura dell'altro e ha riportato a galla un hobby che ad oggi a malincuore non sto più coltivando, la scrittura. Mi ha mostrato che c'è un modo per unire scrittura e cura e che è tra l'altro un metodo per offrire una cura più mirata ed efficiente.
April 7, 2022
really enjoyed this book. had to read it cover to cover for a class. a little repetitive, but charon makes a wonderful case for narrative medicine. i will be implementing so many of these strategies into my future career as a physician!
January 17, 2024
Learned so much - the parallel chart idea is genius!!
January 22, 2024
Probably going to be a fundamental book for the foundation of my career! minus one start for kind of making me want to be an english major.
February 7, 2024
Dense read but very unique lessons and perspectives on patient care. Will refer back to this one many times I’m sure!
Currently reading
November 1, 2025I want to learn more about this theme.
July 23, 2019
I really did not want to review this book, because every time I think about it I get too worked up and frustrated to form any coherent sentences that do not resemble a very long rant.
But alas, let me start by asking a very sarcastic question: Who knew that physicians would actually be better in treating their patients, if they only listened?
Well, the author uses that as her main argument for her book Narrative Medicine: Honoring the Stories of Illness, although not much "honoring" is actually present in this collection of personal experiences the author, a physician herself, shares with the reader.
In chapter 1, the reader receives enough information about the author in order to paint a very clear picture of this physician, whose priorities with regards to her patients is skewed.
Furthermore, she continues with the assumption that all physicians are, like her, more interested in meetings, conferences and only treating the ailing body without any consideration of the mental health of a patient.
Until, of course, she stumbles upon the grande discovery that mind and body are actually connected, at which point she begins teaching all of her medical students the importance of patient narration and the inclusion of medical reports that are less clinical and more personal in nature.
The premise of the book seems promising and interesting, unfortunately, the author wastes too much time on the argument of a point, which should be quite obvious to most working in the health care profession.
What really appalled me while reading this book is the way the author treated her own patients before she began actually listening to her patients (and in that sense treating them like human beings).
The writing, contrary to her teachings, is clinical, filled with quotes and references of literature and literary theory, giving the impression the author is hiding behind quality writing and theory, instead of making her own argument and experiential research speak for itself.
Having a few years of experience working in the health care profession myself, listening to the patient was the first lesson I was taught during my first internship. It makes me wonder what sort of physician the author actually is, considering it is the patient's health she is dealing with.
There is better research on this topic than this book and better experiential and applicable methods. Despite what others have written about this book, sadly I have to give it a pass.
ElliotScribbles
But alas, let me start by asking a very sarcastic question: Who knew that physicians would actually be better in treating their patients, if they only listened?
Well, the author uses that as her main argument for her book Narrative Medicine: Honoring the Stories of Illness, although not much "honoring" is actually present in this collection of personal experiences the author, a physician herself, shares with the reader.
In chapter 1, the reader receives enough information about the author in order to paint a very clear picture of this physician, whose priorities with regards to her patients is skewed.
Furthermore, she continues with the assumption that all physicians are, like her, more interested in meetings, conferences and only treating the ailing body without any consideration of the mental health of a patient.
Until, of course, she stumbles upon the grande discovery that mind and body are actually connected, at which point she begins teaching all of her medical students the importance of patient narration and the inclusion of medical reports that are less clinical and more personal in nature.
The premise of the book seems promising and interesting, unfortunately, the author wastes too much time on the argument of a point, which should be quite obvious to most working in the health care profession.
What really appalled me while reading this book is the way the author treated her own patients before she began actually listening to her patients (and in that sense treating them like human beings).
The writing, contrary to her teachings, is clinical, filled with quotes and references of literature and literary theory, giving the impression the author is hiding behind quality writing and theory, instead of making her own argument and experiential research speak for itself.
Having a few years of experience working in the health care profession myself, listening to the patient was the first lesson I was taught during my first internship. It makes me wonder what sort of physician the author actually is, considering it is the patient's health she is dealing with.
There is better research on this topic than this book and better experiential and applicable methods. Despite what others have written about this book, sadly I have to give it a pass.
ElliotScribbles
December 14, 2024
Fondamentale per ogni medico, infermiere, oss, navigato o aspirante tale. Ci riporta al primum movens in cui giace il senso della medicina, in quella dimensione di atti fatti dall'uomo per l'uomo che nobilitano la nostra esistenza sulla terra. In un presente che impone a noi sanitari sempre più prestazioni in sempre meno tempo, applicazioni cieche di protocolli, frammentazione del sapere medico, questo libro ci ricorda dove sta il senso del nostro lavoro e la meritorietà della salute. Come una voce materna e saggia che ti indica la strada anche dove ti senti smarrito.
July 31, 2024
As a practicing physician (pulmonologist) the rereading of this volume remains an absolute joy and inspiration. Charon rightfully points out the myriad 'dividends' of acknowledging, cultivating and honoring the narrative nature of the medical enterprise. She single handedly crafts a way of seeing and providing health care that really connects doctors and patients. Both will be able to fully appreciate and honor the relational nature that underpins all of medicine, and allow for true, meaningful healing to take place. For a more practical working out be sure to check out; The Principles and Practice of Narrative Medicine.
Read
January 4, 2011Calls for a new way of practicing medicine in which doctors and patients co-construct narratives in order to achieve effective treatment for both body and voice. Shows that etiology of disease is twin skin to ideology of disease. Classic! Nice application of literary theory to doctor/patient interaction.
April 27, 2014
A excellent book for the health care practitioner who is interested in narrative medicine.
My favorite chapter, chapter 6 discussed the non-static nature between the reader and the writer and our assessment of stories often changes as we mature, quoting Lionel Trilling "A book reads us."
My favorite chapter, chapter 6 discussed the non-static nature between the reader and the writer and our assessment of stories often changes as we mature, quoting Lionel Trilling "A book reads us."
August 26, 2008
What did I learn from this book? English professors refuse to listen to students whose experience blatantly contradicts their own. And they're obsessed with strawmen.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews