Background: There are strong theoretical arguments for using narratives in teaching and learning within medicine,
but little is known about how they are used in medical lectures. This study explores the types of narratives lecturers
use, the attitudes of lecturers and students to the use of narratives in teaching, and the aspects of learning that
narratives may facilitate.
Methods: Observation of three medical lectures was followed by one-to-one interviews with the respective lecturers,
and separate focus group interviews with medical students who attended each of the three lectures.
Results: Lecturers used a variety of narratives on a range of themes, from clinical cases to patient experience narratives
or narratives about their professional careers. Students and lecturers highlighted key aspects of narrative learning: for
example providing a relevant context, as a “hook” to engage the audience, and as a memory aid.
Conclusion: The findings support existing literature which suggests that narratives may be a useful tool for learning in
medicine. This study suggests that narratives tap into several key learning processes including providing a relevant
context for understanding, engaging learners, and promoting memory. For medical students in lectures, narratives may
be particularly relevant in promoting humanistic aspects of medicine, including professional identity and empathy.