Rita Charon

Rita Charon is a physician and a pioneer in the field of narrative medicine, which emphasizes the importance of storytelling in healthcare. She believes that understanding patients’ stories—their experiences, emotions, and personal contexts—can improve diagnosis, treatment, and the overall doctor-patient relationship. By encouraging healthcare professionals to listen carefully and empathically to patients, Charon aims to make medicine more compassionate and person-centered. Her work highlights that medicine is not just about applying scientific knowledge but also about engaging with patients’ individual narratives to provide better care.