Learning narrative-based medicine skills: Narrative-based medicine 3.

OBJECTIVE: To raise awareness of narrative-based medicine (NBM) as a valuable approach to the consultation, which, if practised more widely by GPs, would convey considerable benefits to both patient and doctor.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION: While this article draws on the perspectives of 2 of NBM's key proponents, Rita Charon and John Launer, it also presents the author's perspective on the usefulness of the arts.

MAIN MESSAGE: This article presents some practical ways in which GPs can start using the skills of NBM and methods for developing those skills further. This will include methods for broadening awareness, learning to decipher meanings, and developing reflective skills. In particular, the arts are a powerful means for gaining these skills, in addition to stimulating the imagination and promoting creativity.

CONCLUSION: Technological advances in medicine give strength to the notion that medicine is primarily a science. In the face of this, it can be forgotten that medicine is also an art. Narrative-based medicine is the means by which the art of medicine can be practised.