Narrative Medicine (NMED)

Introduction to Narrative Medicine is designed to introduce students to narrative medicine in close observation of the human experience especially as it relates to sickness and to health. In a small seminar format using lecture, careful analysis of literature, writing exercises, course discussion and shadowing in the hospital, students will explore the role of narrative in medicine and the vast expanse of human stories. The course will focus on the discipline of narrative medicine and the role of narrative in health care; narratives of illness and health; and narratives written by doctors. During this course, students will learn methods of observation and communication and hone their ability to hear stories and to tell them. The course will include one short and one longer shadowing experience most likely in the Emergency Department or Intensive Care Unit of Temple University Hospital to connect our students to the practice of medicine.

The goal of this course is to use literature and reflective writing to deepen students' understanding of human experience in healthcare, including the experiences of patients and those that influence their own professional identity development. Students will be divided into groups of 4-6 members who will collectively select three books from a suggested reading list. One or two will be about being or becoming a doctor or other health practitioner and one or two will be about the experience of being a patient. Students will also write two reflective essays. Discussion of the books and student essays will be done both in the classroom and online.

Narrative Medicine and Clinical Practice for Professional Students is designed for LKSOM MD Program enrolled students. Narrative Medicine and Clinical Practice for Professional Students will align with the clinical rotations of third year LKSOM MD students and offer an opportunity to metabolize the experiences of modern medicine. This course will meet in small groups for 12 sessions that are 2.5 hours. Meetings will take place at convenient times based on the clinical schedules of the students enrolled aiming for one course meeting during each clinical block. In this course we will use close reading of fiction and non-fiction literature alongside current clinical experiences to explore a range of topics relevant to the professional development of all doctors.

Students may select from the Narrative Medicine Elective courses offered as part of the LKSOM MD Program. Students should contact the Dean of Students Office at LKSOM to determine the specific courses offered each semester. Examples of LKSOM MD Program Narrative Medicine Elective courses currently offered are: MEDS M240 - An Exploration of Narrative Medicine, MEDS M243 - Humans of North Philly, MEDS M270 - Artful Thinking, MEDS M226 - Arts Workshop, MEDS M227 - Fundamentals of Improvisational Theater, MEDS M241 - An Exploration of Meaning Through Stories, Poems, and Plays, MEDS M234 - Yoga and Writing, MEDS M143 - Medical Humanities, PSYM M266 - Psychiatry: A Narrative Pursuit, and MEDS M130 - Reflections on Gross Anatomy.

Introduction to Narrative Medicine is designed to introduce students to narrative medicine in close observation of the human experience especially as it relates to sickness and to health. In a small seminar format using lecture, careful analysis of literature, writing exercises, course discussion and shadowing in the hospital, students will explore the role of narrative in medicine and the vast expanse of human stories. The course will focus on the discipline of narrative medicine and the role of narrative in health care; narratives of illness and health; and narratives written by doctors. During this course, students will learn methods of observation and communication and hone their ability to hear stories and to tell them. The course will include one short and one longer shadowing experience most likely in the Emergency Department or Intensive Care Unit of Temple University Hospital to connect our students to the practice of medicine.

The goal of this course is to use literature and reflective writing to deepen students' understanding of human experience in healthcare, including the experiences of patients and those that influence their own professional identity development. Students will be divided into groups of 4-6 members who will collectively select three books from a suggested reading list. One or two will be about being or becoming a doctor or other health practitioner and one or two will be about the experience of being a patient. Students will also write two reflective essays. Discussion of the books and student essays will be done both in the classroom and online.

Narrative Medicine and Clinical Practice for Graduate Students is designed for the non-LKSOM MD Program enrolled students. Narrative Medicine and Clinical Practice for Graduate Students will offer students an opportunity to metabolize the experiences of modern medicine as experienced by the patient and the caregiver. This course will meet in small groups for 12 sessions that are 2.5 hours each. Meetings will take place at convenient times based on the schedules of the students enrolled aiming for one course meeting every 2 weeks. In this course we will use close reading of fiction and non-fiction literature alongside current clinical experiences to explore a range of topics relevant to the professional development of all caregivers. Students enrolled working in clinical fields (social work, nursing, dental, etc.) will use their current clinical experiences. Those not currently in a patient-facing field will be given time to shadow in hospital and clinical settings as arranged by the course director to provide relevant experience for in-class discussion.

Working in conjunction with an advisor from the core narrative medicine faculty, the student will craft and complete an independent project on a narrative medicine topic/area of particular interest. The student will collaborate with academic, medical, and community mentors as appropriate to conceive, develop, undertake and complete the project. This may involve, but is not limited to, creation of a capstone paper, a creative writing project, a research study, curriculum development, or photo essay. Its final form should be in a manner that can be shared - in publication, display, performance, grand rounds presentation or some other manner suitable to the project.

Working in conjunction with an advisor from the core narrative medicine faculty, the student will craft and complete an independent project on a narrative medicine topic/area of particular interest. The student will collaborate with academic, medical, and community mentors as appropriate to conceive, develop, undertake and complete the project. This may involve, but is not limited to, creation of a capstone paper, a creative writing project, a research study, curriculum development, or photo essay. Its final form should be in a manner that can be shared - in publication, display, performance, grand rounds presentation or some other manner suitable to the project.