“An invitation to think differently”: a narrative medicine intervention using books and films to stimulate medical students’ reflection and patient-centeredness

BACKGROUND: Narrative medicine purports to improve medical students’ communication skills, self-reflection, empathy and professional development. These interpersonal skills and attitudes can facilitate more patient-centered care and positively impact patients’ treatment outcomes. However, current studies report mainly on small study populations, leaving the efficacy of narrative medicine in larger study groups unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate a mandatory narrative medicine lesson in a large sample of medical students. We assessed if this narrative medicine lesson stimulated meaningful self-reflection on patient-centeredness in medical students. METHODS: All fourth-year medical students of a Dutch medical school participated in this mandatory narrative medicine lesson. The four-step activity consisted of an introductory lecture, close reading and watching of a book and film, a discussion group and a short reflective writing exercise. Students were divided over three thematic pairings (or book and film combinations): ‘The doctor as a patient,’ ‘The mysterious brain,’ and ‘Until death do us part.’ A mixed-methods design was used. First, we qualitatively analyzed the content of 203 essays from the reflective writing exercise. A quantitative analysis of the reflective quality was conducted using a scoring-system based on the REFLECT rubric. RESULTS: Students demonstrated reflection on a professional level and connected this to future intentions as medical practitioners, for example to use specific communication strategies or to deliver healthcare in a broader sense. They also reflected on a personal level by questioning their own worldview or beliefs. Furthermore, they stressed the importance of individual patient stories to gain understaning of patients’ perspectives. Approximately half of the students showed an in-depth and authentic reflection, according to the REFLECT rubric. Additionally, reflection levels differed between book and film pairings. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the value of narrative medicine in the medical curriculum by validating its outcomes in a larger study population and in a mandatory course. Students reflected on themes related to the principles of patient-centeredness, namely personal attitudes towards patients and the uniqueness of patient stories. In additon, the majority of students demonstrated higher levels of reflection, which suggests that this exercise contributes to self-awareness and self-reflection, important qualities for delivering patient-centered healthcare.