Changing the whole system of healthcare starts with practising compassion and Communities of Practice

[Anna Betz]

http://youtu.be/PQjb-wXnw

When Dr.Robin Youngson promised to 'mess' with our minds at the introduction to his seminar in London I became curious how that fitted with who he was: A deeply compassionate and caring physician.

What happened during the 3 hours of sharing his experiences as a medical practitioner was  that the approx. 120 people present in the room became  fully present to themselves, their hopes and ideals that inspired their choice of profession in the first place. We shared some extraordinary and joyful moments from our work as health professionals. Different practitioners came forward to talk about some extraordinary experiences that touched them so deeply that it shifted their understanding of who they were as people and as health professionals. In every case both the patient and the practitioner grew in understanding and compassion which improved the quality of care.

Robin connected us powerfully to our own internal resources not through a technique or a philosophical idea but through his own authenticity and trustworthiness. His stories and the ones he encouraged us to share, strengthened that part of our brain thats about positivity, optimism, hope, love and empathy. His presence and living example became a healing influence for everyone in the room. 

In this video clip we watched  nurses, doctors, therapists and patients share their thoughts on the importance of compassionate, whole person care and how we can work together to create a worldwide movement to transform healthcare.

Robin  skillfully weaved together the moral component of healthcare, science, personal experience and motivation, moral courage, interpersonal neurobiology, leadership, communities of practice, social movement making,  empathy and compassion.

His bottom-up approach called 'Hearts in Healthcare' demonstrates that change of the whole system of healthcare starts with those of us who have re-connected with the heart of healthcare practice and thus find our own flourishing, wellbeing and happiness in our work.  

Networks both locally and globally begin to flourish when we share stories and ideas, inspire each other and learn and share new practices. Once enough people value this kind of exchange, collaboration and networking, the ground will be fertile for building Communities of Practice (CoPs) of like minded individuals around themes we feel passionate about.

He believes that Communities of Practice (CoP) are the real engine of change where progress in compassionate caring will happen and from where it will spread by linking such communities together across the world.

Once CoPs across the world link together something really interesting is bound to happen: The new practices will become the norm. The tipping point will be reached when CoPs have attracted a critical mass which he believes will be 15% of the healthcare system.  

I left the inspiring evening with the decision that bringing mindfulness, heart and compassion to work will be my new norm and I will actively look for like-minded colleagues to build a Community of Practice within the NHS. 

Lets connect the dots within ourselves to become whole and lets connect the dots locally and globally to build mindful and compassionate institutions. Lets make a choice to love work and work with love in our hearts.  

As many studies have shown Compassionate Caring saves time and leads to better outcomes. The secret of quality is LOVE. This is why the moral component of the NHS needs revising. 

                                       Logic leads to Conclusion -  Emotion leads to Action

[Anna Harris]

Dear Anna,

What a beautiful video, so moving, and then an action that can make it real!

I am forwarding this to a surgeon who I know is looking for this sort of connection, plus other health care workers. Of course this not only applies in health care but throughout the movements reclaiming our lives and our humanity.

Bravo!

Anna

[Anna Harris]

Copy of letter I wrote to Robin at Hearts in Healthcare

Dear Robin,

Thank you for initiating this inspiring movement.

I am contemplating the possibility of a colonoscopy, and I visualised this morning asking the professionals involved to stop, just before undergoing the procedure. I wanted to express that though this may be routine to them, this was my body and very precious to me. Could we take a few seconds, a few deep breaths to be really present and mindful of what is happening? Can we set aside any other concerns and pressing responsibilities to be here now?

I realised as I imagined this how difficult it would be, for a patient to exert that sort of control. Hospital systems are set up so that patients - in a vulnerable state- are submissive to routines, and generally feel grateful for whatever is provided.

 Increasing the heart in healthcare is as much about patients exerting some control over their bodies, as about healthcare professionals making the time to listen to them. We are all patients at sometime, and need to encourage ourselves to speak up for what would make us feel safe and cared for.

and his reply:

Dear Anna

Thanks for writing. Yes, that's a very serious challenge. My last interaction with hospital services (as a patient) I found I was unable to call out to ask for a blanket, when reduced to a shivering wreck with pain, sleep deprivation, and cold - while left alone and near naked in a cold room.

Among our networks we have a number of inspiring health consumer leaders and they will become members of the HEARTS in HEALTHCARE community, in dialogue with the professionals. Some are working on ways to empower patients and not waiting for the professionals to change.

I believe there are many things patients could do to support their health professionals to be more compassionate. That's a strategy that my wife Meredith is really interested in exploring.

Kind regards, Robin

[Anna Betz]

I was touched by the story that Professor Aidan Halligan shared when he introduced Robin. He told us about a surgeon friend of his who regularly performs mastectomy. He shared the story how this colleague makes a point of meeting the patient with her life partner in the waiting room and before entering the operating theatre, asks the woman to give him a hug. Yes she giving him a hug as he needs her support. Isnt it powerful when the surgeon gains strength from having the trust of the patient and can share his own vulnerability? Apparently the patient assured him that it will be alright. 

[Anna Harris]

Hi Anna,

I would see this situation differently.

Do you think she would be able to refuse this request, if for whatever reason she didn't want to? He is in a very powerful position since she will be 'under his knife'. Clearly she would not want to upset him. Could she afford to say No? Without the freedom to say No! Yes is meaningless.   There could be many different reasons for her to acquiesce which may have nothing to do with trust.

Anna

[Anna Betz]

Anna, thanks for pointing this out.

I am curious how you see and how you would like to experience the patient to healthprofessional relationship.  What have been your best experiences in this regard? 

[Anna Harris]

I recently went to the doctor about a long standing digestive problem which had disappeared for a while and then returned. He recommended a series of blood tests, and called me to discuss the results. I went with my daughter.

How can I describe how he was? He spoke to us as a genuine human being, in turn we were completely open with him. He was willing to admit the shortcomings of his trade.  While he was much more favourably disposed to allopathic medicine than we were, he was able to listen to our point of view wth respect, and so we were not afraid to express reservations. He treated us as equals. When we left we thanked him for a really enjoyable meeting.

Because there is now so much information on the net people can become experts on their own symptoms. I know many health professionals would disagree with this, which is natural since they have studied for years to achieve their level of skill but this is a new situation to which professionals will need to adapt. However, many people still would not be able to question the opinion of a doctor. 

I have also experienced the incredible skill of a doctor when my grandson of 2 had a fall which left him with a disjointed elbow, The doctor knew exactly how in one second to tweak it back into position. The gratitude I felt for that doctor was beyond words.

When my daughter was taken ill and had to have an emergency operation the surgeon and the anaesthetist went out of their way to explain in detail the procedures beforehand, encouraging us to ask any questions. I could give many examples when I have felt intense gratitude towards healthcare professionals, -the midwife who delivered my babies, the care when I had a miscarriage, etc. At the same time I refused to allow my children to be immunised against diptheria etc,and much pressure was brought to bear on me for taking a stand. That was over 40 years ago. Much has changed and many alternative methods are being accepted in medical practice.

Since I also worked in the NHS I experienced first hand the hierarchical nature of the Health Service. For me it was not comfortable to work in that way, but it is a whole social culture that would have to change before we  really treat each person with sensitivity and respect.