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. 2022 May;39(Suppl 2):S8-S11.
doi: 10.12788/fp.0262. Epub 2022 May 11.

Reading Chekhov on the Cancer Ward

Paulette Mehta  1   2 , Allen C Sherman  1
Affiliations

Reading Chekhov on the Cancer Ward

Paulette Mehta et al. Fed Pract. 2022 May.

Abstract

Background: Studies have shown that nonmedical reading is associated with low burnout and that small group study sections can promote wellness. Burnout and other psychosocial distress are common among health care professionals, necessitating additional measures to promote well-being. The field of narrative medicine is one proposed solution.

Observations: We added small narrative medicine group discussions of nonmedical fiction to our hematology oncology clinical program to promote physician resilience and decrease risk for burnout. We explored how reading and reflecting would result in profound changes in thinking and feeling and noted 7 different ways by which reading and reflecting together can increase well-being. We describe how stories led us to increase bonding, improve empathy, and promote meaning in medicine.

Conclusions: Our small group discussions showed that the intervention was feasible, improved empathy and fulfillment at work, and resulted in greater appreciation for the human dimensions of health care.

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Conflict of interest statement

Author disclosures The authors report no actual or potential conflicts of interest or outside sources of funding with regard to this article.

References

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