Stories of Care: Individual readings and group reflections for a new health paradigm with the "Narrative Medicine Reading Group"

The next meeting of the "Stories of Care" Reading Group will take place on Friday, April 24, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, at the Central Medical Library, Strada di Fiume 447 (Cardiology Center, third floor).

The "Stories of Care" Reading Group is a group of people who decide to read the same literary work on the topics of care, health, and narrative medicine, and then meet to share ideas, interpretations, and personal reflections on the reading experience.

The moderator will be Sergia Adamo, full professor of Literary Criticism and Comparative Literature, and the book will be "The Trial" by F. Kafka.

A literary classic to be critically reread as a metaphor for illness.

Beyond physical impact, the loss of health can have a simultaneous psychological and social impact, as an existential condition of isolation and dehumanization. To the point of making the patient feel different. Guilty.

How does a reading group work?

Read the book suggested for each meeting; even if you haven't finished it, you're welcome to join the group.

At the beginning of each meeting, there will be a short presentation of the book to kick off the discussion.

The group is open to all, subject to availability, and by reservation.

There's a welcoming environment where you can share thoughts and experiences.

The Department of Medical, Surgical, and Health Sciences at the University of Trieste has been involved for several years, in close collaboration with the Department of Humanities, in a comprehensive and multidisciplinary educational project to address and discuss sensitive and controversial issues related to health, illness, treatment, and empathy. This project draws on the contributions of experts in the humanities (literature, philosophy, pedagogy, sociology, anthropology, etc.) and health disciplines (medicine, surgery, nursing, etc.).
Literature has often explored themes related to physical, mental, and social well-being, analyzing the experience of illness, healing, treatment, and death through narrative, poetic, and nonfiction texts. Sharing the reading experience can add value to the understanding and interpretation of the text, transforming reading into a journey of reflection, learning, and growth. The "Narrative Medicine Reading Group" was created precisely with these goals in mind.

Reading the book is recommended, but not required, to participate in the discussion!

Sign up by sending an email to the Medicine Library: bibcenme@units.it