Narrative medicine in diabetes care: Report from FEND Conference Munich 2016†

Abstract

Introduction Several theoretical, philosophical, pedagogical, scientific premises can help understand the pivotal importance of Narrative Medicine (NM) in the field of diabetes care. Let us start from the most recognizable premise. The scientific one. Which means considering data, numbers, evidence. The latest IDFAtlas report mentions several hundred millions of people affected by diabetes and shows that diabetes is impacting every country, every age group and every economy across the world. This prevalence data show up an ever increasing paradox: on the one hand an ever more advanced technological and specialized medicine able to deliver the best care possible; on the other hand people who are not sensitive to prevention, who find difficulties in managing their disease and are often unaware of the disease itself and of the possible consequences if it is not well controlled. What is the problem? What is it that we are not able to understand? Why cannot we reverse this phenomenon? Our traditional approaches to care are no longer effective, or rather, are not enough, and require reflection and different answers on our part. For a long time the scientific literature has shown that correct information and knowledge about the disease are not enough to motivate people to look after themselves and change their habits, as long as diabetes and other chronic diseases are concerned.