title: The story behind the story: the use of storytelling in spiritual caregiving.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To briefly discuss the nature and function of stories that patients tell, and offer practical tips on how to listen and make sense of these stories.
  
  
  METHODS
  Books and articles from disciplines in the humanities and health care professions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stories are a medium for assessment and intervention in areas that essentially reflect an individual's spirituality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Encouraging storytelling is an intervention nurses can use to promote spiritual health. Suggestions for eliciting and analyzing stories are offered.
authors.affiliation: University of Southern California, Department of Nursing, Los Angeles 90033, USA.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D018939:Holistic Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*