Narrative ethics in the field of oncology.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the application of narrative within medical practice. Illness like cancer constitutes a biographical disruption that occurs several times during the disease, from diagnosis to complications and treatments. This review analyzes the interest of narrative ethics in medicine with a focus on cancer.


RESULTS
The field of narrative ethics in medicine has emerged from a confluence of humanities, contemporary narratology, literature and social sciences. Although there is a growing literature on this topic, little has been written on an oncology setting. This article is more a personal consideration on the subject than a classical review of the literature.


CONCLUSIONS
The advent of bioethics has given considerable insight into the practice of medicine, and it would be inconceivable to return to a paternalistic practice that ignores the will of the patient. Like procedural ethics of discussion, and in complement with principlism, narrative ethics promotes constructive communication between patients and caregivers.
Institut Jules Bordet, Brussels, Belgium.
Dominique
D
Lossignol
D026688:Bioethical Issues; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000941:ethics*; D033262:Narration