Wittgenstein's legacy and narrative networks: Incorporating a meaning-centred approach to patient consultation

Abstract

Narrative is an emerging adjunct in psychiatric communication allowing a meaning-centred interpretation of patient experiences. Despite this fact the philosophical framework for such an approach remains largely unknown. This article builds on an earlier article and aims to set out the underlying principles allowing the establishment of a practical and expedient use of this technique to aid patient-physician interaction and therefore improve the quality of that encounter. It will give a philosophical overview of this technique, describe its practical use in a worked example and finally expand the discussion with an argument for its integration in routine clinical consultation.