Objective:

To examine how narrative medicine is being utilized in neurology related to patient care, trainee and clinician education, and support of well-being, professional identity development, and thoughtful decision-making.

Background:

Narrative medicine is an approach that centers patient stories, reflective writing, and empathy, addressing emotional, social, and experiential dimensions of illness and care that may not be captured in standard clinical encounters. This study explores its applications in neurology, examining contributions to patient care, clinical development, education, and community engagement.

Design/Methods:

A PubMed and CINAHL search identified 32 English-language publications from 2000 through 2025. Included studies encompassed qualitative analyses, case reports, educational interventions for students and residents, and mixed-method approaches. Data was extracted on study populations, interventions, surveyed outcomes (e.g., empathy, communication, identity, coping), and clinical or educational impact.

Results:

Among the 32 studies, 14 focused on trainee or clinician education, using arts- or writing-based curricula and graphic medicine to promote communication skills and reflection. Nine studies examined experiences of individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, migraine, brain tumors, or neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, illustrating how narrative medicine facilitated understanding of illness experiences, advanced care planning, and autonomy and stigma concerns. Other studies explored caregiver perspectives on relationship dynamics (n=4), culturally informed narratives’ impact on participation in clinical research (n=3), and effectiveness of narrative medicine in palliative care discussions. Common themes included identity preservation, patient empowerment, empathy development, and support for professional wellness in the process of providing patient care. Interventions ranged from brief writing exercises (e.g., 6-word stories) to longitudinal educational programs, often incorporating mixed-method evaluation.

Conclusions:

Narrative medicine in neurology represents a feasible, impactful approach for enhancing education and patient-centered care. It promotes empathy, reflective practice, improved understanding of illness experience, and clinician and patient well-being. This highlights the importance of developing future narrative medicine interventions for trainees, clinicians, patients, and community engagement.