Reading Narrative Medicine & Health Humanities: a Display of Literature
When one talks about health humanities the term most often refers to the study of the intersection of health and humanistic disciplines (such as philosophy, religion, literature, and so on), the fine arts, as well as social science research (such as history, anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies), that gives insight to the human condition. Similarly, the aim of narrative medicine is to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and emotions of healthcare experiences. By sharing stories, patients can create a more complete picture of illness and its impact on their lives, and health providers learn to hear, value, and therefore better care for patients. As the founder of the narrative medicine movement, Dr. Rita Charon puts it, “The care of the sick unfolds in stories.” As growing fields, garnering new projects and programs at WVU, this selection of books represents the gaining popularity of both health humanities and narrative medicine. From the expression in the book cover art to the poetry and educational information on the pages, perspectives in and on health humanities and narrative medicine are vast. Take a look! Viewers are encouraged to Snap a pic of a narrative medicine book they like and tag #wvunarrativemedicine @wvulibraries and we'll share!