Narrative Medicine: Enhancing End-of-Life Care with Literary Stories

Abstract

This manuscript presents a method to aid those facing end-of-life challenges, utilizing three carefully chosen literary works to facilitate emotional and psychological support. Based on Andrew Papanikitas's innovative approach, it introduces narrative medicine and bibliotherapy as tools for healthcare professionals, especially 'end-of-life doulas', to better assist patients in accepting death. The authors, leveraging their experience in hospice and clinical settings, highlight how these narratives can improve patient care, offering insights into managing fears and anxieties related to death. This condensed approach aims to enrich palliative care practices, proposing a reflective and compassionate model of healthcare that integrates the power of storytelling into patient support and care.