Poetry in Medicine (2)

Continuing on with this thread, I have found two writings related to the use and benefit of poetry in general medicine and psychiatry. With regard primarily to its use in psychiatry read "Poetry as Therapy" by Perie J. Longo, PhD.

In Poetry As Healer, Deborah L. Shelton, covers some of the history and research into the use of poetry as therapy. Also, the experience of Dr.Rafael Campo is quoted as in this excerpt:

"I can't tell you how many times patients have come in and said a poem has changed their understanding of the experience [of their illness]," said Rafael Campo, MD, assistant professor of internal medicine at Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center. "Poetry has the power to say that others have been through this, that you can live with it too." As a physician-poet, he understands the importance of that message. For example, "a breast cancer diagnosis is a terrifying experience for many people," said Dr. Campo, who discusses poetry with about a third of his patients. "But here's something -- a poem -- that will give a different perspective on the experience. You're engaging the patient and letting them know you see them as a whole person and not just a lump in a breast."
… Poetry can facilitate effective communication and empathy, said Dr. Campo. And that's an important part of being a good doctor. "Empathic care providers provide the best care to patients, and poetry is a useful means for exploring empathy and forming those connections with patients," he said.

Thinking about all this, I wrote the following poem. Maybe it will be therapeutic to someone.


Woeful Toeful

There once was a man who'd shout
"I have this God-awful gout!"
His Doc wrote this rhyme,
That he repeated time after time,
And his gout just faded out, faded out.

Anyone want to try to write another poem? ..Maurice.