Short Wave How metaphors and stories are integral to science and healing
Oct 28, 2021
Explore the fascinating intersection of literature and medicine at New York's Bellevue Hospital, home to a unique literary magazine. Discover how a doctor's advocacy for storytelling has transformed patient care and healing. Delve into themes of empathy and mortality that permeate personal narratives in healthcare. Learn how art and literature play crucial roles in understanding illness and fostering human connection, proving that the power of words can be as healing as medicine itself.
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The First Patient
- Dr. Danielle Ofri's first patient needed 10 weeks of IV antibiotics, changing her view on storytelling.
- She realized the importance of patients' stories and their role in healthcare.
Communication Gaps
- Medical students, trained in medical jargon, sometimes struggled to connect with patients' experiences.
- Asking patients about their understanding of diagnoses revealed crucial communication gaps.
Creative Residents
- Bellevue Hospital has housed several creative figures, including Norman Mailer, William S. Burroughs, and Charles Mingus.
- Mingus, alongside chess master Bobby Fischer, wrote a jazz piece inspired by his time there.
