Overview

Unlike any existing studies of the medical humanities, The Chief Concern of Medicinebrings to the examination of medical practices a thorough—and clearly articulated—exposition of the nature of narrative. The book builds on the work of linguistics, semiotics, narratology, and discourse theory and examines numerous literary works and narrative ""vignettes"" of medical problems, situations, and encounters. Throughout, the book presents usable expositions of the ways storytelling organizes itself to allow physicians and other healthcare workers (and even patients themselves) to be more attentive to and self-conscious about the information—the ""narrative knowledge""—of the patient's story.

Full Product Details

9780472118595

Table of Contents

Reviews

""The Chief Concern of Medicine is a formidable and enticing book, one that works hard to situate the burgeoning field of Medical Humanities solidly within the landscape of critical thinking. It represents significant contributions both to scholarship in Medical Humanities and to the continuing education of physicians and medical students in the skills and narrative arts vital to effective clinical encounters, diagnoses, and decision-making. Some of its chapters should be required reading for all prospective and practicing physicians."" -- James Bono, State University of New York, Buffalo

Author Information

Ronald Schleifer, Ph.D., is George Lynn Cross Research Professor of English and Adjunct Professor in the College of Medicine at the University of Oklahoma. Jerry B. Vannatta, M.D., is a David Ross Boyd Professor of Medicine and the John Flack Burton Professor of Humanities in Medicine at the University of Oklahoma.

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