Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of resident physicians and intern physicians on narrative medicine

This study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of resident and intern physicians regarding narrative medicine in Yunnan Province, China, in August 2024. A cross-sectional design was employed, utilizing a self-designed questionnaire to gather demographic information and assess knowledge and attitude. The practice was evaluated by Narrative Competence Scale. Out of 482 valid responses, 62.03% of participants were female, with 43.58% in their first year of residency and 46.06% having received narrative medicine training. The mean scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 49.32 ± 11.72 (possible range: 14–70), 21.99 ± 2.66 (possible range: 6–30), and 143.87 ± 23.52 (possible range: 27–189), respectively. Structural equation modeling revealed significant relationships: knowledge positively and directly impacted both attitudes (β = 0.550, P < 0.001) and practices (β = 0.341, P < 0.001), while attitudes directly influenced practices (β = 0.190, P < 0.001). Furthermore, knowledge affected practice indirectly through attitudes (β = 0.104, P < 0.001). The study concluded that resident and intern physicians exhibited moderate knowledge, moderate attitudes, and low engagement with narrative medicine. It suggested that incorporating narrative medicine into medical training could enhance KAP, thereby improving patient-centered care and communication in clinical settings.