ULSS 2 strengthens the bond with patients with an innovative project to humanize care and improve the quality of life
TREVISO – The Oncology operational unit of Treviso, directed by Dr. Adolfo Favaretto, inaugurated a narrative medicine project, based on the idea that storytelling can improve the understanding and management of disease. This experimental initiative aims to humanize care, paying particular attention to the doctor-patient relationship in one of the most delicate departments.
Support from healthcare personnel
Present at the inauguration were Dr. Alberto Cupsdirector of health professions, accompanied by Mark Simeoni and the nursing coordinator Elena Venturinto wish the group good work.
Narrative writing workshops
From now on, patients will be involved in narrative writing workshops, an important resource for understanding and improving healthcare practice. We will start with a small group of three patients, Giuliana, Giuseppina and Petra, with the aim of extending the initiative to other patients in the department and, subsequently, to other departments. The boys from the “La Cascina” Day Centre in Paese have prepared writing notebooks that will collect the thoughts, emotions and expectations of the participants.
Storytelling and health
Narration allows patients to talk about their health and illness journey, facilitating an essential re-elaboration to understand their life story. This tool was chosen to help cancer patients explore and share personal experiences that are often difficult to express.
Driving experts
The narrative sessions will be led by Dr Lara Martinellian oncology nurse with a background in teaching humanities, and Dr. Silvia Sturniolotrainer at the Degree Courses in the Health Professions of Treviso.
A shared care path
The general director, Francesco Benazzi, explained that the objective is to guide patients in writing to co-build a personalized and shared care path between healthcare professional and patient. Narrative-based interventions have already been shown to improve patients’ quality of life. Benazzi congratulated his collaborators for having carried out this project, underlining the importance of healthcare that considers the person as a whole and not just as the bearer of a healthcare need.
