Cindy Smalletz on Bringing Narrative Medicine Into Clinical Practice
An educator-practitioner at Columbia’s Narrative Medicine program, Cindy Smalletz shares how narrative listening and reflective practice support better clinical judgment, stronger relationships, and more sustainable care.
In this piece, you’ll explore:
• How narrative skills help clinicians navigate uncertainty and complex patient stories
• Why listening is a trainable clinical competency, not a soft add-on
• How narrative practice supports both patient trust and clinician resilience