Ricerc@Sapienza

Narrative Medicine fortifies clinical practice with the narrative competence to interpret the stories of illness. The histories of illness pass through a process of listening and empathic understanding aimed at the therapeutic objective. Storytelling is an inherent behavior in humans. This becomes more important in intensive care where technology often is master of the field. Narrative skills are applied both in the relationship with patients and with family members and colleagues. Narrative Medicine has older origins.

Introduction Narrative Medicine puts the individual at the centre of the therapeutic relationship. It is a powerful tool to improve the collaboration between the patient and those who care for them. In addition narrative medicine, which is based on specific communication skills, allows healthcare professionals to reflect on the meaning of their profession. Intensive care unit is a department with strong relational pressures. This pression influences the actions of the professionals involved. The source of stress affects the way it is managed.

This study describes how Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) as a methodological practice can help medical students learn and acquire analytical ability. This ability, capable of improving observational acumen and generally acquired only after years of clinical experience, may be achieved also by recourse to the systematic and reasoned examination of the visual arts, in particular paintings.