The narrative medicine approach in the teaching-learning process in undergraduate healthcare courses

Abstract:

Introduction:

In recent decades, significant changes have occurred in the medical sciences, ranging from creating new therapeutic approaches to reformulations of practices related to teaching, above all, to develop skills that promote a better relationship between the health professional and the patient. In this context, narrative medicine (NM) emerges as an essential transforming tool in professional health practice because it uses different communication strategies to understand the experiences of individuals regarding their illness processes.

Objective:

This study aimed to knowing how in the teaching-learning process NM is addressed in undergraduate health care.

Method:

This is an integrative literature review based on the question “What are the impacts of the use of NM medicine in the teaching-learning process in undergraduate healthcare courses?”. Publications in the form of complete articles were included, indexed in the SciELO, LILACS, BVS, and MEDLINE databases, published from January 2010 to June 2020, and full text available.

Result:

Nine articles were selected and analyzed, revealing that the use and application of NM in undergraduate health courses are heterogeneous with different study populations, research methodologies, forms of approaches and/or application scenarios. However, the qualitative analysis showed that the NM contributed significantly to training students and professionals, stimulating the development of narrative skills. Empathy in the professional health-patient relationship, respect, and recognition of the importance of other professionals in health care, critical and reflective attitudes in practical scenarios, elements that in the perception of the subjects stand out and were only achieved using this approach.

Conclusion:

The training of health professionals requires narrative skills that involve skills associated with listening and dialogue, as well as the ability to learn and interpret the experiences provided by patients. However, given the scarcity of studies related to this theme, more research is needed to better assess this tool’s use as a teaching resource in undergraduate health.

Keywords:
Narrative Medicine; Learning; Higher Education; Health