Primary Care Training Enhancement

This session introduces the concept of Narrative Medicine, as historically situated in American society (engel et al, 2008).  The Narrative Competence Approach is defined, features of narratives, and Narrative Skill Sets to practice during the session. These are foundational to build on in future sessions. Case narratives are used to practice the Narrative Approach and Narrative Skill Sets, while examining the presence of health and health care disparities in case narratives. 

Session Length: 70 minutes

Prerequisite(s): This session is meant for health professionals in practice

Learning Objectives

• Reflect on the origins of current medical practice in the US
• Define the narrative medical approach and the features of narratives
• Practice narrative skill sets through examination of two case narratives
• Discuss whether social determinants of health or health disparities are present in case narratives

Author:  Michael J. Appleman, M.A. Ed.​

School: Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)

Book Summary (Engel et al, 2008)

Resources (bolded resource is what the presentation is modeled after)

• Engel, J., Zarconi, J., Pethtel, L., & Missimi, S. (2008). Narrative in health care: Healing patients, practitioners, profession, and community. Radcliffe Publishing Ltd. Oxon UK.

Supplemental resources (helpful for debrief in Case Narrative Exercise)

• Caballero, T., Johnson, S., Munoz Buchanon, C., Ross Decamp, L. (2017). Adverse childhood experiences among hispanic children in immigrant families versus US-native families. Pediatrics, 140(5), 1-10, doi: e20170297.

• Hartz, S. et al. (2014). Comorbidity of severe psychotic disorders with substance use. JAMA Psychiatry, 71(3), 248-254. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.3726

• Lee, R., & Chen, J. (2017). Adverse childhood experiences, mental health, and excessive alcohol use: Examination of race/ethnicity and sex differences. Child Abuse & Neglect, 69, 40-48. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.04.004

• Ivey-Stephenson, A., Crosby, A., Jack, S. et al, (2017). Suicide trends among and within urbanization levels by sex, race/ethnicity, age group, and mechanism of death – United States, 2001-2015. MMWR Surveillance Summary, 66(18), 1-9.

• Tierney, L., & Henderson, M. (2005). The patient history: Evidence-based approach. Lange Medical Books. United States.