What if inviting Angelou, Dickinson, Gibran, Rumi, Stafford, or Tagore into the space between clinician and patient makes for a more tender and lasting connection? Perhaps in some cases rather than writing a prescription for a pill, ointment, or injection, words shared through a poem between physician and patient can be a salve that is longer-lasting and more impactful.   

Studies have shown that pausing during a visit to share a poem with a patient can have a positive influence on the well-being of one suffering and the one rendering care. Poetry has been used in the settings of cancer care, palliative care, mental health and veteran’s health in the UK, Canada, and the United States in medical training and in clinical practice for several years.  “Engaging with poetry allows medical learners to explore complex emotions, develop greater self-awareness, and improve their ability to understand patients’ perspectives, which may ultimately enhance patient care."1, 2 Poetry sessions such as those incorporated in a narrative medicine workshop can be therapeutic to many a burnt-out clinician, as these spaces allow colleagues to gather, listen, reflect, write and share with one another in community. Though these gatherings may not be about direct patient care, these sessions can indeed be a much-needed antidote to the burnout faced by many of us.   

Person Journaling

 

In my practice I have created different categories of “Poetry Rx,” like grief, pain, cancer, farewell, welcome, acceptance, new horizons, transition, and celebration, and have placed poems I feel fit into each of these groups. When I think a poem is applicable to a particular patient going through a specific hardship, I will share one of these poems with them. You can include a poem in the patient’s after-visit summary for later reflection or offer one or two journal prompts for them to consider before the next appointment. You could invite them to bring their journal reflections with them on the next visit so they can share their thoughts with you. This can be a moment of genuine connection between one human being and another.  

Family medicine practices can be fraught with many moments of uncertainty, pain, loss, and grief. Poetry can be a channel both patient and physician can tune into for connection during these moments of suffering. “In clinical care, poetry can facilitate emotional expression, help patients articulate experiences of illness, and provide psychological relief, particularly in palliative and mental health settings. For example, poetry interventions have been shown to help patients facing serious illness process grief, loss, and existential distress, and can even contribute to pain relief and increased hope in oncology patients.”3, 4 When we are rendered speechless, when words fail us because we too are human, a poem can be the tool that allows us to speak what is in our hearts and express our empathy, compassion, and love for the patient we so deeply care for and work diligently to get better.   

Often as clinicians we may feel helpless in fully releasing our patients from their suffering. At these times, turning toward the humanities to humanize the physician-patient relationship may be the balm that is called for. Generously listening and wholeheartedly giving our presence to one another may be a gift that can be unwrapped and savored long after the clinical visit is over. Being with one another in appreciation of this human-centered endeavor we have taken an oath to uphold may be the medicine that can save us along with our patients. Think about your favorite poem or even a quote . . . sit with it, reflect on it, write a few words that come up, and share it. Give it a try.  

Examples of poetry in practice:  

References 

  1. Earthed Lightning: A Prescription for Poetry in Practice and Teaching.  Sgro G. Academic Medicine : Journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges. 2021;96(8):1105-1107. doi:10.1097/ACM.0000000000004061.  
  2. Just a Spoonful of Humanities Makes the Medicine Go Down: Introducing Literature Into a Family Medicine Clerkship.  Shapiro J, Duke A, Boker J, Ahearn CS.  Medical Education. 2005;39(6):605-12. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2929.2005.02178.x.  
  3. Poetry as a Healing Modality in Medicine: Current State and Common Structures for Implementation and Research.  Kwok I, Keyssar JR, Spitzer L, et al.  Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2022;64(2):e91-e100. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.04.170.  
  4. Evaluation of the Effects of Music and Poetry in Oncologic Pain Relief: A Randomized Clinical Trial.  Arruda MA, Garcia MA, Garcia JB.  Journal of Palliative Medicine. 2016;19(9):943-8. doi:10.1089/jpm.2015.0528.  

Learn more about narrative medicine with Dr. Velayudhan's presentation "Narrative Medicine Practice" from ACOFP '25, available in the ACOFP eLearning Center.

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