Tales of the O.R.: A Reflective Essay on Story-Telling in Anesthesia

Abstract

Narrative medicine has been well described as medicine practiced with narrative competence. I illustrate its application in anesthesiology by exploring three narrative discourses: the one between patient and provider, the one between anesthesiologist and surgical team, and the one between learner and self. Furthermore, I draw on my personal experiences, as well others’ research in narrative medicine and patient satisfaction, to examine the impact of narrative competence on both patients and providers.