Learning Objectives

• Analyse the intersection between the humanities, social sciences, art, culture, and medicine, highlighting the importance of narrative in identity formation and humanisation.
• Evaluate ethical dilemmas and issues through narrative practice, fostering empathy and critical reflection on actions and values.
• Develop effective communication strategies using narrative as a method to strengthen human relationships and build trust.
• Integrate knowledge of bioethics with the humanities, social sciences, art, and culture, applying narrative as a central tool for a humanistic approach.
• Develop advanced skills in narrative medicine, using stories to better understand individual contexts and lived experiences, promoting person-centred practice.

Course Content

• Introduction to Narrative Medicine: Fundamental concepts, historical development, and importance in medical practice.
• Narrative and Humanisation: Narrative as a tool for humanisation, identity formation, and its connection to bioethics; analysis of bioethical case studies.
• Narrative in Clinical Practice and the Humanities: Narrative techniques in healthcare, effective communication, and trust-building; art, culture, and literature as tools for reflection.
• Critical Reflection and Empathy: Development of empathy and critical reflection on ethical dilemmas; practical discussion and debate exercises.
• Mental Health: The use of narrative to understand patients and healthcare professionals; narrative approaches in treatment and psychological support.
• These topics provide a comprehensive understanding of narrative as a tool for humanisation and bioethical reflection, ensuring an enriching interdisciplinary learning experience.

Assessment

Assessment in this curricular unit requires students to prepare a short essay analysing a narrative text, poem, film, piece of music, or painting of their choice, using narrative as a means of understanding and interpretation.

The assignment must be presented in class, allowing students to develop their narrative skills and reflect on the experience analysed.

Assessment will be based on the clarity, coherence, and depth of the analysis and ethical reflection, as well as originality and creativity.

This assessment methodology aims not only to evaluate students' theoretical knowledge but also to develop practical and reflective skills essential for ethical and humanised medical practice, as well as the application of narrative approaches in other contexts.