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. 2022 Feb;50(2):3000605211045507.
doi: 10.1177/03000605211045507.

Narrative medicine: feasibility of a digital narrative diary application in oncology

Maria Cecilia Cercato  1 , Elvira Colella  2 , Alessandra Fabi  2 , Isabella Bertazzi  2 , Barbara Giuseppa Giardina  3 , Paolo Di Ridolfi  3 , Mara Mondati  3 , Patrizia Petitti  3 , Liciano Bigiarini  3 , Virginia Scarinci  4 , Alessandro Franceschini  5 , Francesca Servoli  4 , Irene Terrenato  6 , Francesco Cognetti  2 , Giuseppe Sanguineti  3 , Cristina Cenci  5
Affiliations

Narrative medicine: feasibility of a digital narrative diary application in oncology

Maria Cecilia Cercato et al. J Int Med Res. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

Objectives: We implemented narrative medicine in clinical practice using the Digital Narrative Medicine (DNM) platform.

Methods: We conducted a preliminary, open, uncontrolled, real-life study in the oncology and radiotherapy departments of Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico National Cancer Institute Regina Elena, Rome, Italy. We recruited adult Italian-speaking patients who then completed the DNM diary from the start of treatment. The primary endpoint was DNM feasibility; secondary endpoints were health care professionals' opinions about communication, therapeutic alliance, and information collection and patients' opinions about therapeutic alliance, awareness, and coping ability. We used open- and closed-ended questions (scores 1 to 5) and a structured interview.

Results: Thirty-one patients (67%) used the diary (84% women). Health care professionals' mean scores for feasibility and utility were ≥4.0. Patients' utility scores were related to health care professionals' feedback regarding the narratives. The main advantages for health care professionals were the opportunity to obtain relevant patient data and to strengthen communication and patient relationships (mean scores 4.4-5.0). Both groups strongly encouraged introduction of the diary in clinical practice.

Conclusion: Use of the DNM in oncology patients assisted clinicians with understanding their patients experience.

Keywords: Narrative-based medicine; chemotherapy; digital diary; digital narrative medicine; personalized care; personalized medicine; radiotherapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of conflicting interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Example word clouds generated from narratives of (a) 31-year-old woman, (b) 58-year-old man, (c) 46-year-old woman.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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