Narrative Medicine in Hospice and Palliative Care: A Longitudinal Fellowship Curriculum Pilot

Abstract

Introduction

Growing evidence suggests that clinician exposure to narrative medicine (NM) may help bolster resilience and mitigate burnout. The value of formal longitudinal training in NM for hospice and palliative medicine (HPM) trainees remains understudied.

Methods

A 1-year longitudinal NM curriculum for HPM fellows was pilot-tested for feasibility, acceptability, and exploratory impact. Six monthly 45-minute sessions included reading literature, reflective writing, and sharing creative work. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through a pre-intervention survey and post-intervention survey administered immediately upon completion of the curriculum. Longitudinal impact was assessed with a post-intervention survey administered three months after completion of the curriculum.

Results

All HPM fellows (n = 6) attended at least 5/6 sessions during the 1-year pilot, suggesting intervention feasibility. Participant engagement and self-reported comfort with NM exercises supported intervention acceptability. Post-intervention, participants described the positive influence of NM practice on their clinical practice and stated an intention to integrate NM skills in their future HPM careers. Three months following the intervention, participants had a sustained increase in their comfort level with NM. All participants felt that the NM sessions had been relevant to their life as HPM fellows and anticipated using NM moving forward in their practice of HPM.

Discussion

This novel NM curriculum was feasible and acceptable to implement in a 1-year HPM fellowship. Longitudinal impact showed sustained increase in trainee comfort and interest in using NM in their future clinical practice.