The influence of narrative medicine on medical students' readiness for holistic care practice: A realist synthesis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The 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.

Objective

This study explores how Narrative Medicine interventions influence medical students' readiness for holistic care by examining the mechanisms, contexts and outcomes that underpin its effectiveness.

Methods

A 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. Studie

SUBMITTER: Huang CD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12913228 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature