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Table 2 Physicians’ beliefs about roles in narrative medicine

From: Exploring perception and usage of narrative medicine by physician specialty: a qualitative analysis

Description

Representative Quotes

Consensus that narrative medicine is important within primary care

“I think [narrative medicine]’s a very important part of the getting to know someone, and especially in a field, like primary care when the expectation is I’m gonna know them for years if not decades.” (Internist)

“I can imagine discussing this with an internist let’s say and ‘well their personal conditions has dramatic effect on how I’m going to manage their diabetes because how they spend their time outside these office visits kind of dictate what I think about their glucose control.’” (Surgeon)

Most surgeons believe narrative medicine is important for their practice

[In response to practicing narrative medicine]“…it’s very important that there is trust in the relationship early on…I think that connecting with them personally helps foster that trusting relationship which I think is important in all physician relationships, but it's important it's established quickly in a surgical relationship with a surgeon.” (Surgeon)

"If I meet them initially and they’re with their spouse we will often have a conversation about their, their lives together. If they have a surgery and they’re in the hospital, we have a conversation about their recovery often with their family and what their expectations are for their recovery. That often brings in things about their life story" (Surgeon)

Primary care physicians generally view narrative medicine as less important in other specialties

“You know, does every doctor have to know their life story?…You know if you’re just having a knee replacement maybe you don’t need to know” (Internist)

“I can see when someone comes in to the [Emergency Room]…they’re not gonna want me to be sitting there for half an hour asking them about what you know their whole history and stuff like that. So I do think…what type of care you’re providing matters, and how that would impact the relationship and the embracement of narrative medicine.” (Pediatrician)