Narrative Competence

Empathy towards patients from physicians has been shown to have multiple benefits to both patients, providers and the healthcare system as a whole. Only recently has empathy been realized as a clinical skill - one that can be taught, learned and enhanced. Charon's groundbreaking work in establishing the discipline of Narrative Medicine stresses the need for "narrative competence" as the key to empathy. The ability to listen and analyze the patient's story - the foundation of every patient encounter. In this presentation, the fundamentals of narrative competence will be highlighted. Also, techniques for teaching empathy as a clinical skill will be discussed from basic role modeling to formal programs in Narrative Healthcare.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the importance of the patient's story as the basis of the clinical encounter
2. Be familiar with the basics of Narrative Competence and how they relate to the patient encounter
3. Understand how narrative competence relates to empathy as a clinical skill
4. Be introduced to ways in which formal training in Narrative Healthcare can be obtained and how it can be introduced into clinical practice and undergraduate and graduate medical education
 

Disclosures: None Reported 

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). The Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California (OPSC) is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) to provide osteopathic continuing medical education for physicians. 

Grievance Policy: OPSC strives to provide continuing medical education programs to fulfill the needs of the attendees and to meet the AOA Uniform Guidelines and AOA Accreditation Requirements. Comments, questions, or complaints should be forwarded to OPSC, by calling the OPSC Office at 916-822-5246 or by email to opsc@opsc.org.