From children’s literature to cancer care reflective practices in the training of radiotherapists

The present paper proffers a theoretical reflection on the role of the child's perspective in the training of radiation oncologists. This perspective is posited as a viewpoint capable of opening up new ways of understanding care and its relational dynamics. Within this framework, the article also presents a narrative training programme for radiation oncologists in specialist training. This programme is used as a case study to explore how storytelling can support processes of self-awareness, responsibility and professional development. The analysis of a piece of children's literature demonstrates the potential of educational practices that intertwine the symbolic dimension, relationships and self-formation. It is suggested that an approach inspired by the world of childhood can help to shape training programmes that are more humanising and attentive to the uniqueness of care narratives.