Call for Papers: The Role of the Humanities and Narrative Medicine in Family Medicine Education

Family Medicine is seeking papers for an upcoming theme issue focused on exploring the role of the humanities and narrative medicine in family medicine education.

August 3, 2026—Family Medicine is pleased to announce a call for papers for an upcoming theme issue focused on exploring the role of the humanities and narrative medicine in family medicine education and training.Family medicine is more than diabetes and depression; it is a discipline of stories. We recognize the value of stories in enhancing our teaching of medical content and in professional development. We rely on our patients' stories to truly know them and understand their life context. This is why we include stories and robust storytelling in how we teach family medicine. Our faculty use the humanities (writing, visual arts, theater and improv, for example) to teach residents, students, and fellows about our patients' lives. These stories humanize the care we provide, give us the connections we desire, and keep us engaged in our discipline. We see narrative medicine as a way to use storytelling (in words, art, or language) to teach concepts related to the care of patients and communities. We welcome original research papers and brief reports about educational interventions or on observational studies examining various aspects of narrative medicine or the use of creative venues for teaching. We also welcome commentaries (with editor approval), FM Focus infographics, and narratives (personal stories) related to this topic.Potential topic areas include, but are not limited to:

  • Reflective writing and storytelling in medical student, residency, or fellowship training
  • Narrative approaches in K–12 or undergraduate pathway programs
  • Use of Narratives or visual arts in professional identity formation, equity, diversity, and inclusion, or wellness
  • Patient and community narratives in teaching family medicine or community-oriented primary care, etc.
  • Faculty development on writing, teaching, or using narratives in family medicine education

Specifically, we would like articles that address:

  • How the use of narrative medicine affects faculty work-life integration and burnout
  • How faculty use patient stories to teach learners about complex medical and social concerns
  • Reading personal narratives to teach students and residents about professionalism
  • How narrative medicine helps students and residents process challenging clinical scenarios
  • How the use of theater or improv affects medical student or resident’s communication skills and feelings of empathy toward patients
  • How narrative medicine teaches clinicians how to listen for patient stories, thereby making it easier to understand the patient’s life thereby improving care

Submit using Family Medicine's Online Manuscript Submission System. Mention the call for papers within your cover letter during the submission process. The deadline to submit is February 8, 2027.Any questions, email fmeditor@stfm.org.

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Events

August 26, 2026, 1 pm eastern: Webinar: "Using Mobile Apps for Competency-Based Direct Observation and Outcome Assessment"

August 31–September 2, 2026: STFM Conference on Practice & Quality Improvement

September 9, 2026, 1 pm eastern: Webinar: "From Blank Page to Blueprint: Using AI to Create Meaningful Individualized Learning Plans"

September 14, 2026, 3 pm eastern: Webinar: "Rural Health Government Update with Nina DeJonghe, MPP"

October 2, 2026, 1 pm eastern: Webinar: "Tracks and Areas of Concentration in Family Medicine Residencies: History, Evolution, and Impact"

October 16, 2026: POCUS Virtual Workshop for Family Medicine Educators

October 30, 2026, 2 pm eastern: Webinar: "Mind Matters: Integrating Cognitive Health Care and Prevention in Family Medicine"

November 12, 2026, 12:30 pm eastern: Webinar: "Building Your Legacy: 8 Smart Estate Planning Strategies to Protect Family and Preserve Wealth"

February 5–7, 2027: STFM Conference on Medical Student Education

May 1–5, 2027: STFM Annual Spring Conference

Deadlines

August 14, 2026: Nominate for the F. Marian Bishop Leadership Award

August 18, 2026: Apply to Join STFM Medical Student Educators Development Institute Fellowship

August 21, 2026: Apply to Be Faculty for STFM Emerging Leaders Fellowship

August 21, 2026: Apply to Be a PRiMER Journal Associate Editor

August 31, 2026: Submit 60-Word Stories to Be Published in Family Medicine for STFM's 60th Anniversary

August 31, 2026: Nominate Yourself or Another Member for STFM Bishop Society

September 4, 2026: Submit to Present at 2027 STFM Annual Spring Conference

September 14, 2026: Apply for STFM Behavioral Science/Family Systems Educator Fellowship

September 18, 2026: Lynn & Joan Carmichael STFM Recognition Award

September 18, 2026: STFM Diversity Award

September 18, 2026: STFM Excellence in Education Award

September 18, 2026: STFM Innovative Program Award

September 23, 2026: Apply to Be Family Medicine Narratives Section Associate Editor

September 30, 2026: Apply for STFM New Faculty Scholars Program

October 1, 2026: Nominate Mentors for STFM 60th Anniversary Mentor Recognition Award

October 4, 2026: Nominations for STFM Advocate Award

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