TMC’s Ray Barfield has published a piece in Duke Magazine, “Healing Words: Patients have stories physicians need to hear.” In it, he explores the importance of language and storytelling to the practice of medicine.

“To say what matters is to make a statement of value, and value is not a biological concept. When we talk about what we value, we use the language of stories, faith, hope, fear, and mystery. I have come to think of the practice of medicine as being closer in spirit to the humanities than to the pure sciences. If it fails to pay attention to its humanistic aspect—the aspect that is most fully expressed through storytelling—medicine has the potential to do great harm.”

Click here to read the full article.