의료에서 덕과 실천의 매개로서 서사(narrative)*

Abstract

Every human being is a “narrative being” in the sense that he or she has a life story. It is not advisable, or even technicall possible, for a physician to separate a patient’s life history when making medical decisions. The best medical decision-making involves the patient, the physician, and concerned family members who come together to mediate conflicts that may arise through the patient’s life stories, rather than merely relying on regulations and principles. The ability to understand the meaning and importance of a patient’s life story is an important one for physicians to have. Physicians with this ability form stronger bonds with patients. This article examines some of the problems caused by scientific medicine and emphasizes the importance of patients’ life experiences and physicians’ willingness to listen to and understand patients’ life-narratives.