Literature as a Pedagogical Tool in Medical Education: The Silent Patient Case

Abstract

The arts have seen increasing use in medical education over the last 4 decades. Literature in particular is now frequently used as an educational tool in different medical humanities programmes. This paper analyses Alex Michaelides’ novel The Silent Patient with the goal of examining the professional issues presented in this psychological thriller and how the novel’s themes can be used to prompt discussion among medical students about professionalism and ethics in psychiatric settings. Following Strauss and Corbin’s qualitative procedure for conventional content analysis, this study employs content analysis of the literary text. The process of analysis began with open coding in which codes were assigned to all relevant sentences and paragraphs addressing professionalism in working with silent patients in psychiatry. These codes were then analysed to identify five major themes: multidisciplinary teamwork; therapy for the therapist; patient-centred care for silent patients; communication with silent patients; professional challenges in working with silent patients. The paper concludes that The Silent Patient novel represents important issues related to ethics and professionalism in working with silent patients in psychiatric settings. The novel can be used as a creative tool to guide discussion surrounding these issues. The paper argues that although the impact of its use is short-term, literature can make a significant contribution by provoking thought and discussion about professional and ethical aspects of practising medicine and caring for patients.