Writing, reading, and studying literary and narrative work in relation to global health helps health care workers to reflect, analyze, and improve our approaches to the care we provide, instills a better understanding and empathy for those that we provide care to, and opens our minds to our patients perspectives. Throughout this discussion the eradication of smallpox, the approaches made towards improving current global health conditions, and the impact literary and narrative works has on these matters, along with the care we provide will be referred to for supportive indications. The main concepts of this discussion compile together to evolve and advance our health care systems to achieve holistic, patient-centered care that includes culture …show more content…
Having the ability to take a step back, recall, analyze, and reflect on certain cases; whether it is the case alone that sticks with us, the patient, or how the situation was handled, is a positive exercise that all health care workers should practice. Recollecting and analyzing our patient cases allows us to fix missteps, find our weaknesses, and improve the way we practice for the future. Also, it helps us to see all aspects of the care we are providing on both ends of the spectrum and consider different perspectives. We are able to open our minds and this builds creativity within the existing critical thinking skills we possess. Reading others work and learning from each other successes and defeats helps to evolve health care, in general, from the providers care all the way to the patient receiving care. Hsu (2013), wrote an informative literary piece that summarizes Edward Jenners’, the founder of the smallpox vaccine, journey to eradicate smallpox, and the writing goes on to explain the evolution of vaccines to modern day that were made possible in thanks to Jenners’ …show more content…
Empathy entails listening and understanding the patients perspective, having insight to their thoughts and feelings, and placing ourselves in their shoes and acknowledging their struggles. The best way to do this is by incorporating narrative into medicine. The patient may give you a background story of themselves which helps you to better understand them as a person, or you may incorporate a story for them to help with educating and building knowledge in regards to their illness, instilling hope for the future, or simply to help the time pass and connect with them. These types of interactions builds a sense of trust and understanding of each other to encourage positive patient-provider relationships. Also, understanding our patients allows for individualized and appropriate care plans. Patients’ narratives work as building blocks with each persons individual experiences and focus to aid in a transformation of the deliverance of the care we provide to others, and we are taught the disciplines of healing and coping from our patients to implement for others in the future (Spencer, 2015). Patients are more likely to comply with plans that are tailored to their unique situations, incorporates their decisions, and that are provided by a health care worker that they
This requires respect and compassion and prioritizing their comfort and values. I believe that as future physicians, we must be open to the different identities and perspectives of each individual in order to try to understand their beliefs and concerns. This level of empathy allows us to connect with patients on a deeper level and treat them with better quality care. Given this, I was immediately drawn to Georgetown’s Literature and Medicine program. Having taken a similarly named course during my undergraduate career, I recognize how literature, fiction or non-fiction, can create a compelling narrative that draws us into the mind of the writer and the characters. Medically related narratives raise issues that we will be confronted with later on in our careers, such as the respective responsibilities of the patient and physician, the role of medical ethics, and the value of compassion and empathy. This program will help me to become a more reflective and empathetic individual that places the beliefs and comfort of the patient at the forefront of my professional practice, and can competently cater to the needs of a diverse
This involves the nurse understanding a patient’s situation and the pain they may be experiencing (physical and/or emotional). Nurses should learn the situation of their patients so they can provide them with the correct help and empathize in a therapeutic way. Resonating with the patient will make them feel comforted as well as thankful. If a nurse does not show empathy, the patient will feel lonely. (use references to back up the need for empathy in estab an effective ‘nurse-client’ relationship)
According to the College of Nurse of Ontario (2006), empathy is one of the five key components of the nurse-client relationship and is one of the most powerful tools. You don’t need to know how your patient feels to be empathetic but letting them know that you are trying to understand is a good start. It can be used to describe a variety of experiences and had been defined by emotional researchers “as the ability to imagine what someone else might be thinking or feeling” (University of California, Berkeley). Having the ability to empathize doesn’t mean you will or that you are willing to help someone in need but it is an important first step towards a compassionate
As physicians, we are foundations for our patients. We become sources of strength and emotional security for them, in trying times. We do more than fix others back to health (spotting signs of illness, giving diagnoses, drugs or treatment). We must understand the concerns of those we help and be there for our patients—through pain and sorrow. ================
Patients have long lamented that their doctors do not truly listen to them. A new emerging discipline, Narrative Medicine, seeks to rectify this problem by teaching both medical students and doctors alike the value of empathy and through the use of literature how to listen, dissect, and reconstruct patient’s narratives. Although Rebecca Elizabeth Garden and Rita Charon, agree on many aspects of Narrative Medicine, Garden tends be more critical and points out more flaws in her work entitled “The Problem of Empathy: Medicine and the Humanities,” whereas Charon cites the numerous benefits of Narrative Medicine in “Narrative Medicine: Honoring the Stories of Illness.” Although Narrative Medicine is beneficial because it allows doctors to develop empathy, one should also realize the many potential pitfalls and complications that arises.
What the research proved, was the enrichment of patients and an improved treatment outcomes. Empathy was the key to the success, thus a huge strength surrounding patient care (2011). However, I personally view empathy with many limitations. Epistemological Assumptions are one limitation when practitioners listen with third ears. For example, when a doctor doesn’t listen to the patient, rather, listens to the family or nurses. (2003) Practitioners will sometimes focus on feelings, not meanings. This in its self can be limiting, depending on the issue. If it’s a trauma, moving past the devastation is virtually impossible when focusing on the emotions it brings. Finding meaning in the experience, will allow the patient to heal. (2003). The expert knower, further undermines the patients story by creating superiority over the patient. All of these diminish the client and their experience, further breaking the bond of the client therapist
When using empathy with a client, the nurse is able to step into their shoes and understand what they are going through, essentially feeling what they feel (Barkin, 2011, as cited in Davies, 2014, p. 198). Ward et al., (2012) found that being able to communicate on the same platform as your client, meaning to place yourself in the same mindset as them is critically important to create a foundation of reliance (as cited in Davis, 2014, p. 198). Research by Davies (2014) found that embracing the empathic method not only requires you to venture into the mind of your client, but it also necessitates the ability to slide your own personal thoughts and emotions out of the way and dedicate all focus on the individual before you (p. 201). These thoughts expressed by each author, encircle what I already find to be most valuable in a nurse. Acquiring the skills to push your own feelings aside, with emphasis added on not being judgmental is very crucial to building a healthy relationship with your
Empathy – This is about as to how you build up the relationship with your client that he knows his feelings can be shared with and confident of your input for his recovery.
Providing clinical treatment, education, and empathy while involving the patient in their care achieves a win-win situation for all. I have adapted my practice to address the primary needs of each patient; education and treatment are modified to attain the best outcome for every client. Segueing from the bedside to clinical research has permitted me to concentrate on the distinct needs of each patient; while allowing me to contribute to the advancement of science and treatment modalities. As I work towards obtaining my advanced practice degree, I have focused on the evolving changes in health care (Mudd, 2014, p. 2).
Fiction and story telling is an integral part of life. It is all around us and we cannot escape it. Storytelling is such a powerful tool in a person’s life and nurses must be able to not only tell stories but also learn how to listen to a patient’s story, interpret the stories, and empathize with the patient. Narrative competence is a valuable skill to have as a nurse. Narrative competence is the “ability to acknowledge, absorb, interpret, and act on the stories and plights of others” (Charon, 2001). This is why having narratives from a patient’s perspective that a nurse can reference to is vital. By reading narrative nurses then have a background or an idea of what a patient may be going through and why he or she is acting in a certain way.
I had been assigned to a 96 year old patient with a diagnosis of failure to cope. Prior to entering the patient’s room I had made a mental assessment through my personal research and verbal report that he was known to be a non-compliant agitated patient. Although the patient was already labeled as a difficult patient I did not allow this to cloud my own personal judgment when meeting with the patient. While providing morning care I began to engage with the patient through conversation and shortly learned that the patient was still grieving the loss of his wife from 9 years ago, they had been married for 65 years. By showing empathy and listening to the patient explain his story I was able to develop a therapeutic relationship with the patient where trust was built and nursing care was provided efficiently. I wanted to further explore the impact empathy has on nursing care in such setting as acute care, and how vital this is to the human
This is because, conversing empathetically can lead to better outcomes as it can have positive effects on client’s anxiety, pain, and hopelessness (Williams & Stickley, 2010). As well, it enables clients to cooperate more effectively towards treatments (Arnold & Boggs, 2015). Being empathetic promotes a humanistic interaction where the main objective is to make one feel understood and appreciated. By gathering data through the client’s words and actions, the nurse can use this information to carefully construct an appropriate response that will make a client feel that his or her feelings have been acknowledged (Monica, 1979). Furthermore, for a nurse to efficiently demonstrate empathy, nurses must be aware of their own biases and avoid bringing these personal views into the health care setting as these can negatively affect the client (Williams & Stickley,
Upon returning to work, Jack changes his outlook towards his job, his coworkers, patients and his interns. He teaches his students exactly what it will feel like to be the patient. He was able to take his experience and teach others the importance of communicating empathy in the healthcare field. He is now able to look past his patients’ illnesses and treat them as patients with feelings and respect. The lesson he takes with him is was how important life is when we use the right communication.
A cult can use fear and they can also use the threat of being separated from their families to control their members. Sometimes they use a person’s family against to control them by threatening to separate them from all family members if they decide to leave the religion. David Koresh and Alena Padgett are examples of some people that have been affected by cults in one way or another. David Koresh was the leader of a cult, and Alena Padgett was murdered by two cult members. There are many reasons why people join cults such as religion, they are seeking family and friends, to hide from what they consider “evil” forces.
It is about the personal understanding and treatment of the patient as an individual, interpreting the situation from their perspective. Gain a complete understanding grounded in professional and research-based knowledge of clinical practice; personal reflection and a consciousness of the patient’s attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. (Olckers, Gibbs & Duncan 2007: 2-3) Empathy involves gaining insight into patients’ backgrounds, core values, relationships and medical history through dialogue. Chochinov 2007: 1877 - 1877. Reflective Dimension:..