Letter to the Editor
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2025. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Psychiatry. Mar 19, 2025; 15(3): 102956
Published online Mar 19, 2025. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v15.i3.102956
Narrative nursing as a holistic approach in modern healthcare: Integrating emotional and physical care
Güzel Nur Yıldız, Bahar Çiftçi
Güzel Nur Yıldız, Department of Dialysis, Muş Alparslan University, Muş 40199, Türkiye
Bahar Çiftçi, Department of Fundamental Nursing, Atatürk University, Erzurum 25240, Türkiye
Author contributions: Author contributions: Yıldız GN and Çiftçi B were involved in all stages of manuscript development, conducted a thorough literature review, contributed to drafting and structuring the manuscript, and carefully revised it to ensure accuracy and coherence; all of the authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript to be published.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflict of interest in publishing the manuscript.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Bahar Çiftçi, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Fundamental Nursing, Atatürk University, HGF Agro, Ata Teknokent, Erzurum 25240, Türkiye. bahar.ciftci@atauni.edu.tr
Received: November 4, 2024
Revised: January 16, 2025
Accepted: January 22, 2025
Published online: March 19, 2025
Processing time: 115 Days and 11.6 Hours
Abstract

Narrative nursing (NN) is emerging as a critical approach in modern healthcare, addressing the complex interplay between psychological well-being and physical recovery. This manuscript discusses a study on NN and its role in alleviating psychological distress in patients with acute pancreatitis, published in the World Journal of Psychiatry. Their research demonstrates that NN, through structured storytelling, significantly reduces anxiety and depression, thereby enhancing patient satisfaction and fostering emotional resilience. This therapeutic approach extends beyond symptom management, offering a comprehensive strategy that supports the mental and emotional recovery of patients facing severe health challenges. NN provides a unique framework for engaging patients in their care journey, promoting a sense of agency, and strengthening the patient-provider relationship. In this manuscript, we explore the broader implications of NN by synthesizing findings from various studies, showing that NN is effective not only in acute settings but also in oncology, chronic illness management, and palliative care. The evidence indicates that integrating NN into standard clinical practice could enhance healthcare outcomes by addressing the holistic needs of patients, supporting psychological resilience, and fostering a compassionate healthcare environment.

Keywords: Narrative nursing; Patient-centered care; Psychological distress; Emotional resilience; Holistic recovery; Structured storytelling

Core Tip: This manuscript highlights the impact of narrative nursing (NN) in reducing emotional distress among patients with acute pancreatitis by addressing both psychological and social well-being. Zhou et al’s study shows that NN, through structured storytelling, significantly alleviates anxiety and depression, boosting patient satisfaction and resilience. Evidence suggests that NN has broader applications across various clinical contexts, including oncology and chronic illness care, enhancing patient-centered care by promoting empathy, emotional resilience, and holistic recovery. Integrating NN into healthcare could improve patient outcomes by strengthening emotional support and fostering a compassionate care environment.