• Shannon L Arntfield, Kristen Slesar, Jennifer Dickson, and Rita Charon.
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Western University, London, Canada. shannon.arntfield@gmail.com
• Patient Educ Couns. 2013 Jun 1; 91 (3): 280-6.

ObjectiveThis study sought to explore the perceived influence of narrative medicine training on clinical skill development of fourth-year medical students, focusing on competencies mandated by ACGME and the RCPSC in areas of communication, collaboration, and professionalism.MethodsUsing grounded-theory, three methods of data collection were used to query twelve medical students participating in a one-month narrative medicine elective regarding the process of training and the influence on clinical skills. Iterative thematic analysis and data triangulation occurred.ResultsResponse rate was 91% (survey), 50% (focus group) and 25% (follow-up). Five major findings emerged. Students perceive that they: develop and improve specific communication skills; enhance their capacity to collaborate, empathize, and be patient-centered; develop personally and professionally through reflection. They report that the pedagogical approach used in narrative training is critical to its dividends but misunderstood and perceived as counter-culture. CONCLUSION/PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Participating medical students reported that they perceived narrative medicine to be an important, effective, but counter-culture means of enhancing communication, collaboration, and professional development. The authors contend that these skills are integral to medical practice, consistent with core competencies mandated by the ACGME/RCPSC, and difficult to teach. Future research must explore sequelae of training on actual clinical performance.Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

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