From another perspective: Narrative medicine and healthcare providers' narratives during the COVID-19 pandemic

Contrasting COVID-19 is widely debated but often treated from a clinical or, at most, managerial perspective. Less attention is instead assigned to a narrative view of the problem. However, the stories of those who combat this pathogen teach us the need to use storytelling strategies to counteract the effects of the disease on patients and its consequences on healthcare providers. This contribution aims to address the COVID-19 issue from the perspective of narrative medicine, first by defining it and then by reporting some healthcare professionals' experiences. It intends to highlight the importance that medicine has not only on the patient but also on healthcare professionals. It offers a brief review of some of their narratives, focusing on experiences with different tones and struggles and emphasizing the importance of narrative in one's work in supporting patients. In addition, this contribution also aims to reason that not everything can be solved with words, as they help but do not solve everyday problems.