Am I going to die? Will this hurt? Will my baby be ok? Will I walk again?
How should medical professionals answer these tough questions?
WITH EMPATHY!
Most (hopefully all) medical professionals HAVE empathy, all of them don't EXPRESS empathy. Why? The reason I've heard most often is lack of time. The misperception is that expressing empathy takes too much time. Empathy expression is simply about making others around you feel better. How long does that take? It could be as short as a warm greeting with eye contact! In our Lifetime of Impact presentations, I share the ups and downs of my complicated medical journey, and provide practical tips on forging immediate connections with patients. I present to classes full of healthcare students, from those in microbiology who are just beginning their studies to nursing students who are on the verge of beginning their career in medicine. By the end of this semester, I will have affected nearly 200 students, showing them how in a moment of genuine care, they will have a lifetime of positive impact.
Some things they say:
This presentation incorporated a new and great way of thinking for when I interact with patients Uplifting - empathy comes from within and it’s nice to be reminded that we are all capable of being empathetic towards one another. Wonderful and inspiring information. Shari has an incredible story and I loved hearing about it This session helps you understand how valuable empathy is in healthcare. Empathy can make the biggest difference in a patient’s recovery process.
This year, I added a take home gift of an Empathy Tool Kit. The kit contains tools to continue empathy exercises at home, a workbook, hand sanitizer and a pack of mints.
I hope to add a set of magnets exhibiting the four mantras I live by:
a. Focus on what you CAN change. b. Do the best you can with the resources you have. c. Modify your goals but stay true to yourself. d. Don’t be afraid to try something new and difficult.
To continue this important work, I need your help. Please consider a donation to Lifetime of Impact (LOI). We operate as a project under San Francisco Public Health Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to promoting the health and safety of the SF Bay community and beyond. All donations are tax-deductible.
This fundraiser does coincide with my birthday. It's a big one! Help me "celebrate".
Each kit costs about $5.50 to put together. Our goal at Lifetime of Impact is to ensure long, prolific, empathy-filled careers. Priceless!
Donate on Facebook at https://lnkd.in/gRmkSRqw or on our website at https://lnkd.in/gknPPbjE
