Stories of care: Individual readings and group reflections for a new health paradigm with the ‘Narrative Medicine Reading Group’

Health sciences need to draw on humanistic culture in order to pursue the well-being of citizens in a comprehensive and systematic manner.
The Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences at the University of Trieste has been working for several years, in close collaboration with the Department of Humanities, on a structured, multidisciplinary educational project to address and discuss sensitive and controversial issues related to health, illness, care and empathy, with the contribution of experts in the humanities (literature, philosophy, pedagogy, sociology, anthropology, etc.) and health disciplines (medicine, surgery, nursing, etc.). etc.) and health disciplines (medicine, surgery, nursing, etc.).
Literature has often explored themes related to physical, mental and social wellbeing, analysing the experience of illness, healing, care and death through narrative, poetic and essayistic 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.

It was precisely for this purpose that the ‘Narrative Medicine Reading Group’ was created, a group of people who decide to read the same literary work and then meet to share ideas, interpretations and personal reflections on their reading experience.

The Group's meetings will take place at the Central Medical Library, at Strada di Fiume 447 (Cardiology Centre, third floor).

The following are the upcoming events of the ‘Narrative Medicine Reading Group’:

• 22/10/2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.: ‘Nel cuore degli altri’ (In the Hearts of Others) by G. Bronzetti. Moderator: Prof. Gianfranco Sinagra, Director of the Cardiothoracic Department at ASUGI, Director of the School of Specialisation in Cardiovascular Diseases at UniTS.
• 7/11/2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.: ‘C'era una volta...’ (Once upon a time...) by J. Schoible; ‘I'll Take Care of You’ by Giroldo and N. Bertelle; ‘Antonino's Little Pot’ by I. Carrier. Moderator: Prof. Elisabetta Madriz, Professor of General and Social Pedagogy, UniTS.

Subsequent readings will take place on dates yet to be determined. The texts will be chosen on a case-by-case basis by facilitators, based on personal criteria of sensitivity, professional competence, and pedagogical intent. The texts will be announced at least one month in advance of the date set for discussion. Copies of these volumes will be made available by the Medical Library. At the beginning of each meeting, there will be a brief presentation of the book to kick off the discussion.

The reading groups are free and open to professionals working in the field of assistance and care, subject to availability and prior booking (maximum 15 people).

Sign up by sending an email to the Medical Library at bibcenme@units.it  by 21/10/2025.