The document argues that medical storytelling requires skill to be effective. It claims storytellers must streamline their stories to avoid animosity, accurately explain each point, and leave a lasting impression. The document provides tips for storytellers, such as creating a safe environment where no one feels like the bad guy, getting all relevant information out in the open using concrete examples, and learning lessons from stories that can be retained forever. It questions whether storytelling is the most effective way to change a system. Supporting references are provided.

1. Medical
Storytelling: A skill
or a charming
talent?
Natalie Muniz

2. I will argue that medical storytellers need to refine their
skills to tell a good story. Others may argue that
storytelling is an art that requires no skill, but my
evidence will show otherwise. It is crucial that medical
storytellers trying to prove their point streamline their
stories so that there is no animosity between the
parties, make sure each one of their points is
accurately explained, and so that their audience can
leave the discussion with a lasting impression of the
story that they have heard.
Thesis

3. Creating a Safe Storytelling and Listening
Environment
- Medical professionals are not going to back up a story
where they feel like the bad guy, where they feel they
can not make any difference in the matter.
- “anger did not seem to impair memory for events that
actually did occur… Instead, anger impaired the ability
to dismiss errors that were subsequently suggested “
(Greenstein, Franklin 207).
- Prohibits a person to start realizing their own faults and
becoming stubborn

4. Getting Everything Out in the Open
- “help(s) patients and families tailor their presentation by discussing ahead of
time who will be in the audience” (Morrise, Stevens e143)
- “Individuals gain a better understanding of one another through the use of
concrete examples rather than through vague abstractions and
generalizations which have no relationship to life’s experiences... enables
individuals to build the bridge of understanding between one another”
(Abrahamson 441).
- Reduction of the core points will ensure an easy understanding of what can
be improved upon.

5. Learn it Once and Retain it Forever
- Telling a story is not intended to fill the void of thought for
a menial amount of time.
- “Homer taught us how to teach by singing to a person’s
entire soul and that lying within the confines of this
technique is the first great lesson for teachers”
(Abrahamson 442).
- The point is that the five minutes that the teller takes to
share their experiences turns into a lifetime of learning
for the listener.

6. Do you think that
storytelling is the most
effective way to change a
system?
Works Cited
Abrahamson, Craig E. “Storytelling as a Pedagogical Tool in Higher
Education.” EBSCOhost, 1 Mar. 1998,
https://web.p.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=0&sid=3d22071d-
02d6-4388-b2d0-3c3f15c1201b%40redis. Accessed Sept. 2022.
Greenstein, Michael, and Nancy Franklin. “Anger Increases Susceptibility to
Misinformation.” Experimental Psychology, vol. 67, no. 3, 2020, pp. 202–209.,
https://doi.org/10.1027/1618-3169/a000489.
Morrise, Lisa, and Katy Jo Stevens. “Training Patient and Family Storytellers and
Patient and Family Faculty.” The Permanente Journal, vol. 17, no. 3, 2013,
https://doi.org/10.7812/tpp/12-059.