Today, I want to introduce my readers to a friend, and her work. Her name is Michelle Bernabe, R.N….
The hero's journey is medicine. It is a powerful narrative structure that has been used for centuries to tell stories of courage, perseverance, and self-discovery. This structure can be used to understand the process of healing and the role of moral leadership in healthcare.
is the author of that newsletter, and her ideas are powerful.The hero's journey begins with the call to adventure, where the hero is called to leave their everyday life and embark on a journey of self-discovery. For patients, this call may come in the form of a diagnosis, surprise bill, or a health system crisis. For healers, it may be the decision to enter the healthcare field or the realization that the current system is in need of change.
Next, the hero must face the threshold of adventure, where they must overcome their fears and doubts and step into the unknown. For patients, this may be the fear of the unknown outcome of treatment or the fear of the unknown side effects of medication. For healers, this may be the fear of making the wrong decisions or the fear of not being able to help their patients.
The hero then embarks on a series of trials and ordeals, where they must use their skills and knowledge to overcome obstacles and make difficult decisions. For patients, this may be the physical and emotional challenges of treatment. For healers, this may be the ethical dilemma of providing care in a flawed system.
Finally, the hero reaches the climax of their journey, where they must make a sacrifice or a transformative decision. For patients, this may be the decision to undergo a difficult treatment or the decision to stop treatment and focus on quality of life. For healers, this may be the decision to speak out against injustice in the healthcare system or the decision to change their practice to align with their moral beliefs.
The hero's journey concludes with the return home, where the hero has been changed by their experiences and is able to share their story with others. For patients, this may be the ability to live a fulfilling life after overcoming their health crisis. For healers, this may be the ability to make a positive impact on the healthcare system and the lives of their patients.
The hero's journey serves as a powerful metaphor for the process of healing and the role of moral leadership in healthcare. By understanding and embracing our role as heroes in this journey, we can work towards a more compassionate and ethical healthcare system.
The act of sharing our healthcare stories and listening to the healthcare stories of others is not only a way to gain insight and inspiration, but it also creates a powerful container for healing and growth. When we share our stories, we open ourselves up to vulnerability, and in doing so, we allow others to see themselves in our experiences. This creates a sense of connection and understanding that can be incredibly healing for both the storyteller and the listener. When we listen to the stories of others, we gain a deeper understanding of the world around us and the experiences of those around us. This can inspire us to take action, to make positive changes, and to become more compassionate and empathetic individuals.
This container is powerful narrative medicine. The medicine co-created between the storyteller and the audience is where laughter, feels and growth take root. It is a space where we can come together, where we can learn from each other's experiences, and aspire to the best versions of ourselves. This is the power of storytelling as medicine. Stories scaffold our healing. They are profoundly moral.
As each of us writes our own journey, we are both listeners and tellers. Let us be open. Through this exchange, we can gain insight, inspiration, and the courage to make changes in the world. We become the heroes we need.