This article explores the role of narratives in healthcare, situated between tradition and innovation. Identity is built through storytelling, and sharing one's story helps restore coherence of identity in the face of illness. A narrative approach in healthcare is one way to address the fragmentation of biomedical care and the limitations of evidence-based medicine. This article reflects on the benefits of various narrative approaches and their place in healthcare. With modern technology, particularly electronic health records and artificial intelligence, the role of patient narratives in the daily practice of healthcare professionals could change in a near future.