Medical Records and Other Stories: a Narratological Framework

S. Kay; I. N. Purves

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1634648

Methods of Information in Medicine, Table of Contents

Methods Inf Med 1996; 35(02): 72-87
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1634648

Original Article

Schattauer GmbH

Medical Records and Other Stories: a Narratological Framework

S. Kay

¹Medical Informatics Group, Department of Computer Science, The University, Manchester, UK

,

I. N. Purves

²Sowerby Unit for Primary Care Informatics, Department of Primary Health Care University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

³Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

A new model of the medical record is introduced which can incorporate context, structure, process and use of the medical record within a single narratological framework. It is claimed that the analysis of narrative and, in particular, the study of the story metaphor can provide a theoretical model which provides coherence within the broad discipline of Medical Informatics. It is argued that this framework maintains different levels of abstraction, is useful for teaching and clinical practice, and that its concepts can be readily understood by those in both lay and technical healthcare professions.

Keywords

Medical Record - Narrative - Medical Informatics - Theoretical Models

Full Text

References

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