Abstract

To introduce a systematic narrative approach into clinical practice, not only training to improve narrative skills among physicians, but also a change in their perspective towards care, is required. This paper describes the development of a narrative path started at the IRCSS "Regina Elena" National Cancer Institute, based on training and research projects. The programme started in 2015 with a story-sharing intervention, named "Raccontami di te" ("Tell me about you"), involving patients, their relatives and health professionals, with the aim to improve the knowledge about the role of self-narration as well as the listening attitude. In 2017 a pilot study based on the use of a digital diary (digital narrative medicine - DNM), which is a platform for the application of narration in clinical practice started. The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and the utility of a model integrating the patient theme-oriented narratives with clinical data during chemotherapy treatment, through a mixed qualitative quantitative analysis method. The results supported the value of the integration of patients narratives with clinical data; however the success of the intervention is strongly related to the whole care team participation and to an appropriate health organization.