ArticleMedical education2026
The influence of narrative medicine on medical students' readiness for holistic care practice: A realist synthesis.
Article in Medical education, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed.
- Article
- Making Reflective Practice by Interns Visible Through Digital Storytelling.Journal of general internal medicine · 2026Article
- Experiential music therapy in cultivating medial humanistic qualities for medical education: a qualitative analysis based on experiential learning theory.BMC medical education · 2026Article
- The influence of narrative medicine on medical students' readiness for holistic care practice: A realist synthesis.Medical education · 2026Article
- From learners to healers: The essential link between student-centred education and patient-centred care.Medical education · 2026Article
- When stories become care: mapping literary exposure to empathy and resilience in medical students and doctors through the lens of narrative medicine.Frontiers in medicine · 2026Article
- Cognitive reshaping and resurgence of humanness: restructuring the medical education continuum in the era of generative AI.Frontiers in medicine · 2026Review
- Fairy Tales We Teach Without Telling: Transformative Learning and the Hidden Curriculum in Medical Education.Advances in medical education and practice · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundThe increasing focus on technical skills and efficiency in medical education often overshadows humanistic aspects, creating gaps in preparing clinicians for holistic patient care. Narrative Medicine, integrating storytelling and reflective practices, offers a promising approach to addressing these challenges.
objectiveThis study explores how Narrative Medicine interventions influence medical students' readiness for holistic care by examining the mechanisms, contexts and outcomes that underpin its effectiveness.
methodsA realist synthesis was conducted following Pawson's five-stage methodology with a two-phase search strategy across four databases and grey literature. Phase 1 (2008-2018) yielded 10 studies; Phase 2 (2018-2025) added 3, totalling 13. Studies were included if they focused on Narrative Medicine interventions, involved medical students and examined holistic care outcomes. Studies were assessed for credibility, theoretical depth and trustworthiness. Context-Mechanism-Outcome (CMO) configurations were iteratively synthesised using ATLAS.ti, ensuring rigour and consistency in accordance with RAMESES standards.
resultsA total of 13 studies, predominantly from U.S. medical schools and hospitals and one from the Netherlands, involving 1158 participants, were analysed. Nine CMO configurations were identified across three contexts: Storytelling Activities, Storytelling Skills and Engaging with Stories. These contexts activated mechanisms such as Deep Observation, Reflection, and Peer Learning, which contributed to outcomes including Enhanced Holistic Patient Connection, Improved Patient Care and Enhanced Self-Perspective. Notably, Peer Learning showed a weaker linkage to these outcomes, reflecting variability in the effectiveness of Narrative Medicine interventions. Emotional resistance, including avoidance and disengagement, highlighted challenges in implementing Narrative Medicine effectively.
conclusionNarrative Medicine enhances relational competence, empathy and reflective practice, aligning with the principles of holistic care. Addressing barriers such as emotional discomfort and variability in outcomes requires adaptable formats and supportive environments. This study underscores Narrative Medicine's transformative potential in medical education and offers actionable insights for its integration into diverse learning contexts.
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