Listening to people’s narratives in nursing is an effective model of medical practice involving therapeutic communication. It allows nurses to “understand the context of patients’ lives and learn what is meaningful from their perspective” (Potter & Perry, 250). Because scientific knowledge alone cannot touch upon a patient’s internal struggles or extend empathy to a patient, building narrative competence is encouraged in healthcare professions (Charon, 2001). Competent healthcare professionals are then able to communicate concern and interest in the patient’s narrative and establish an effective therapeutic relationship (Charon, 2004).
Narrative medicine develops a contextual understanding of a patient and his or her situation rather than
Narrative medicine develops a contextual understanding of a patient and his or her situation rather than