The Henry and Sylvia Wong Forum in Medicine is an annual event organized by McMaster University. It serves as a platform for advancing research and public education in medicine. The forum features distinguished speakers who share insights and innovations in the field.
This year, Dr. Rita Charon spoke about “A Health Care Transformed by Stories: Narrative Medicine for Clinicians and Patients” when she delivered the Wong Forum in Medicine on Wednesday, April 29.
Dr. Rita Charon, a pioneer in literature and medicine, recognized the disconnect between patients’ desire to express their pain, suffering, and worries, and doctors who often fail to truly listen. To address this, she coined the term “narrative medicine,” a bridge between patients and doctors, aiming to restore the lost connection in healthcare communication.
This approach involves reading fiction and writing ordinary narrative prose about patients, fostering empathy and understanding. Columbia University, where Charon directs the Program in Narrative Medicine, offers intensive training for healthcare professionals, emphasizing the importance of literary skills in becoming better doctors. Through narrative competence, doctors learn to engage deeply with patients’ stories, ultimately enhancing patient care and human connection.