Dr. Alessandra Colaianni
Otolaryngologist
1 Podcast on BackTable
Dr. Alessandra Colaianni is an otolaryngologist practicing at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
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Episode # 273 • 12 May 2026
Integrating Narrative Medicine into Patient Care
From clinic to the OR, storytelling quietly shapes every decision in clinical care. This episode of BackTable ENT & Allergy examines how narrative medicine and the stories at the heart of each patient encounter can elevate your clinical practice, enhance empathy, and deepen the doctor-patient relationship. Pediatric ENT Dr. Gopi Shah interviews Dr. Alessandra (Alessa) Colaianni, a head and neck surgical oncologist at the University of North Carolina, about the power and relevance of narrative medicine in modern surgical care.
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About
Dr. Alessandra Colaianni is an otolaryngologist with fellowship training in surgical oncology of the head and neck and microvascular reconstruction. She also holds an M.Phil degree in History and Philosophy of Science.
Dr. Colaianni is interested in the use of narrative, storytelling, and reflective writing to understand the impact of head and neck cancer on patients, families, trainees, and providers. She is also interested in issues of identity and autonomy in head and neck cancer patients, and how these play into concerns about high-morbidity cancer operations, informed consent in complex or experimental treatment plans, and information sharing among oncology team members. Dr. Colaianni draws from multiple disciplines — philosophy, sociology, creative writing and narrative medicine — in formulating these research questions.
Visit UNC Lineberger to learn more about Dr. Alessandra Colaianni.
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