Narrative medicine intervention on the obstetric-gynaecological work floor to discuss social stigmas around heavy menstrual bleeding using cocreated site-specific poetry

Abstract

PURPOSE: Stigmatisation and lack of awareness about many women's health concerns constitute a major public health problem. This study analyses the impact of a narrative medicine (NM) intervention designed for obstetrical-gynaecological (OB-GYN) professionals and patients in a teaching hospital. It used a cocreated, site-specific poem based on patient and clinician lived experience narratives to stimulate meaningful discussions on taboo topics and provide an opportunity for participants to learn from each other's perspectives and experiences. METHOD: This qualitative study employed a thematic analysis of 36 written reflections collected in three 1-hour NM sessions, along with follow-up interviews with 14 participants (aged≥18 years, fluently Dutch speaking). RESULTS: Analysis of the anonymous written reflections and interviews indicates that OB-GYN professionals and patients valued the commissioned poem as an unexpected and engaging source of inspiration for exploring patients' perspectives. Participants were also deemed NM an appropriate approach to support multidisciplinary discussion. The written responses and interviews also highlighted valuable focus areas for a subsequent NM training. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to the field of NM teaching by showing that such interventions can be used in continuing education interventions in the workplace. Our site-specific artwork for a Dutch OB-GYN department encourages meaningful discussions between healthcare providers and patients. Poetry, in this case a cocreated, site-specific work, can reveal new facets of patients' perspectives and needs.