In the last few decades genomics has completely reshaped the way in which patients and physicians experience and make sense of illness. In this paper we build upon a real case - namely that of breast cancer genetic testing - in order to point to the shortcomings of the paradigm currently driving healthcare delivery. In particular, we put forward a viable analytical model for the construction of a proper decisional process broadening the scope of medical gaze onto human experience of illness. This model revolves around four main conceptual axes: (i) communicating information; (ii) informing decisions; (iii) respecting narratives; (iv) empowering decision-making. These four kernels, we argue, map precisely onto the main pitfalls of the model presently dealing with genetic testing provision. Medical Humanities, we conclude, ought to play a pivotal role in constructing the environment for competent decision-making, autonomous self-determination and respectful narritivization of one's own life.
Constructing the Medical Humanities Gaze / M. Annoni, G. Schiavone, L. Chiapperino, G. Boniolo. - In: CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ONCOLOGY HEMATOLOGY. - ISSN 1040-8428. - 84S2:2(2012), pp. S5-S10.
Titolo: | Constructing the Medical Humanities Gaze |
Autori: | ANNONI, MARCO ANGELO (Primo) SCHIAVONE, GIUSEPPE (Secondo) CHIAPPERINO, LUCA (Penultimo) BONIOLO, GIOVANNI (Ultimo) |
Parole Chiave: | Autonomy; Breast cancer; Decision-making; Empowerment; Genetic susceptibility; Information provision; Medical Humanities; Narrative medicine |
Settore Scientifico Disciplinare: | Settore M-FIL/02 - Logica e Filosofia della Scienza Settore M-FIL/03 - Filosofia Morale |
Data di pubblicazione: | 2012 |
Rivista: | |
Tipologia: | Article (author) |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1040-8428(13)70003-9 |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 01 - Articolo su periodico |