Clinical record-keeping, narrative documents and chronic illness: When “fat files” tell thin stories about experiences in healthcare

The extensive medical records of young people living with chronic illnesses can tell a thin story about the experiences and humanity of the person they supposedly represent. Through the story of a narrative document developed with a client, and the responses of others I shared it with, this article explores the skills and knowledges of young people navigating mental health systems while also dealing with chronic illness. From a poststructuralist perspective, the paper considers the effects of what one young person called “fat files” on how clients are “known” in clinical spaces, with implications for how professionals engage in notetaking.