Stories That Teach: Using Literary Texts for Professional Development in Family Medicine
Tom AXELROD, Marina GOLDIN ISSERLIS and Manal MUHAREB
Narrative Medicine and the field of Medical Humanities highlight the role of literature and writing in understanding the experiences of patients and physicians, fostering reflection, and shaping professional identity. These dimensions are increasingly recognized as essential in medical education, as they contribute to resilience, empathy, and a sustained sense of meaning throughout a medical career. This workshop presents literature as a structured educational tool in family medicine training and professional development.By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to: 1. Practice reflective reading skills using literary texts related to medicine and healthcare. 2. Generate ideas for integrating literature into family medicine education, supervision, and professional development. 3. Explore different literary genres relevant to medical practice. 4. Contribute to the creation of a shared repository of literary resources for family medicine training.The workshop will combine guided reading of selected literary texts in small groups with facilitated discussion and collective reflection. Participants will actively contribute to creating a shared repository of literary resources, discussing their relevance and potential applications in family medicine education. Introduction and personal narrative (5 minutes) Part I: Small-group discussion of literary texts from different genres (20 minutes) Part II: Plenary session – sharing insights and educational ideas emerging from group discussions (20 minutes) Part III: Collaborative development of a shared literature repository for family medicine education (15 minutes)Participants will gain practical experience in reflective reading, develop concrete ideas for using literature as an educational tool, and deepen their understanding of diverse literary approaches to medicine. The workshop will provide an opportunity to discuss the use of literature in medical education with colleagues from different countries, and co-create a shared online resource applicable to teaching and professional growth in family medicine.Literature is a powerful yet underutilized resource in medical education. By offering a structured and pedagogically grounded approach to integrating literary texts into family medicine training, this workshop aims to enrich educational practice, support professional identity formation, and strengthen reflective and empathic capacities among family physicians.
