Narrative medicine in pediatric medical education and patient care: A scoping review

Narrative medicine is an approach centered on patients’ experiences and their illness stories. Its application in pediatric population warrants further research. This study aims to overview (1) the application of narrative medicine in pediatric medical education and (2) the implementation of narrative medicine in pediatric patient care. Searches were conducted in bibliographic databases (Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, EBSCOhost, Embase, MedEdPORTAL, Ovid, PubMed, and Web of Science) without date or language restrictions. Researchers independently screened articles, charted data, and performed data synthesis. Educational intervention studies were evaluated with Kirkpatrick Scale, and Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used for methodological quality assessment of all studies. Forty-one articles met our criteria: 17 focused on the application of narrative medicine in pediatric medical education and 24 on its implementation in pediatric patient care. Educational interventions indicated general satisfaction, with reported improvements in empathy, reflection, patient understanding, and professional development. In patient care settings, narrative medicine provided a safe space for story sharing, enhancing emotional, relational, and social connections, and promoting patient- and family-centered care. This review highlights the translation of narrative medicine from educational interventions to clinical practice in pediatric settings. Although more robust research is required, existing evidence supports narrative medicine’s potential to foster authentic engagement with patients and caregivers and enhance the quality of pediatric care across various conditions and developmental stages.