How The Human Connection Improves Healthcare | Anthony Orsini | TEDxGrandCanyonUniversity
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 พ.ค. 2021
- How do we find verification in complex fields, such as medicine? Does our affirmative knowledge derive from vast statistics and justified intelligence or from genuine relationships and quality communication?
Dr. Orsini discusses the most vital aspect of healthcare interventions - the communication between the physician and patient. With medicine as the primary focus of healthcare innovation, meaningful physician-to-patient rapport is often a neglected component of healthcare. Dr. Orsini advocates for improved patient and physician communication, explaining that meaningful relationships are the catalyst for change in the healthcare atmosphere. He emphasizes that medicine is more than combating and preventing illness. Even more so, an attentive and relational physician improves the patient experience and promotes continual growth in the medical field.
Dr. Anthony Orsini is a Practicing Physician, author, podcast host, and frequent speaker. He Founded The Orsini Way and has developed communication training programs used by medical schools and residency programs around the country. Through his interactive workshops and unique coaching, he has trained thousands of senior physicians, nurses, and practitioners on how to enhance their patient’s overall experience and become more fulfilled with their own lives.
Dr. Anthony Orsini is a practicing physician, author, and frequent speaker on the topic of effective and compassionate communication in medicine and business.
He is the author of the book It’s All in the Delivery-Improving Healthcare Starting with a Single Conversation and host of the podcast “Difficult Conversations- Lessons I Learned as an ICU Physician.”
As President and Founder of The Orsini Way, Dr. Orsini has trained thousands of healthcare providers, first responders, and business leaders on how to build trusting relationships through better communication. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
That last point about connecting through a personal moment, such as asking, “how is your day going?” or “did you see the game yesterday” is such a good thing to bring up. It rings so loudly for me, a first year medical student, who just wants the future patients I care for to feel comfortable, at ease, and heard. But I’ll also try this with the practice patients we interact with in the curriculum. Making the patient smile is such a rewarding moment even as a young buck who feels like an imposter wearing a short white coat. But man, when I can make a patient smile, it makes me smile, and the doctor-patient relationship gets so much easier.
Thank you!!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤The human element has disappeared. And we need to INCLUDE the family members!!! Not just the patient-all too often the family gets dismissed!!!! It actually compounds the trauma their ALREADY dealing with!!!
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive. Best TED talk video that I've come across so far.
Tony - Tell this story at the beginning of every presentation! It humanizes what you do and brings a level of emotional attention to what you have to share. I so appreciated your invitation for the patient to help in bringing humanity into the interaction ... bringing THEIR empathy and compassion into the relationship, forging a powerful connection that fosters healing. It really doesn't matter if it's the chicken or the egg ....
I had the honor and privilege of working with Dr. Orsini and seeing him connect with his patients parents (Worked in the NICU with him). He is truly one of the most compassionate Doctors I have ever worked with.
awesome to see a personal reference..
So nice to hear someone backing another person up
Even though we lost our son in the NICU 5 years ago, to this day, Orsini is one of my favorite doctors. He literally practices what he is still preaching. Even though he isn't our doctor anymore, the man still checks in on us to see how we are doing more than my kids' pediatrician. Like come on that is GOLD.
Andia, we are so sorry for the loss of your son. It amazes our team as well how even in the most tragic circumstances still feel such a connection with Dr. Orsini. We are so proud to help share is message. Thank you!
That really is lovely.
Tempted to share this with the "not so evolved" providers in my life.
The ability to put someone at ease, especially when they don't necessarily know what's going on with their bodies or their loved ones is clearly so undervalued. I hope Dr Orsini's message is spread far and wide because it would be so beneficial
So many patients so little time with each. Connecting with each needs great reserves of energy.
Dr Orsini is just the best at communicating with patient families! He has the same compassion for everyone he interacts with! Everyone would benefit from listening to this brief but powerful lecture... especially if you are a health care professional!!!
Thank you Jennifer!
This doctors words - his lessons - should be shared by the entire medical community. He is so right and so good.
Thank you so much, we try and spread the word whenever we can!
Thanks so much for your kind words!
Thanks Dr Orsini for teaching the next generation compassion and empathy.
Thanks for the kind words Tara!
We need compassion in all walks of life, this isn't just about doctors it's about all of us.
That is so true. Thanks for the comment!
The emotional cost of doing their jobs is enormous. Thanks for opening this difficult conversation.
thanks for sharing with me
makes sense that our humanness would need to be considered when looking at our health!
Every medical student should watch this and behave accordingly.
That's what we hope, feel free to help spread the word. We appreciate you taking the time to listen.
Dr. Anthony Orsini does such a good job at speaking at the heart of medicine. The genuine human connection is what it is all about. I love how he focused so much of his career on building repour and trust. The physician patient relationship is so important for the patient to be able to be vulnerable and open. When a patient is vulnerable with their physician, they can share key factors that may be integral for the whole mind, body, and spirit to properly heal. We are social creatures and as such we need human connection. It is important to help those that are broken, and lonely feel cared about and loved. There is a lot of superficial motives that exist in our modern society, it is important that medical providers spend time internally reflecting on maintaining genuine motives in helping their patients. You can have all the knowledge and expertise but without a good relationship with the patient all your knowledge to help them will be in vain. Without a good relationship the doctor will not be able to convey their knowledge to the patient. Effective communication is essential in getting the patient the care they need. Not every patient will be in the best mood, but we can always do more break down walls to cultivate these relationships. Hopefully all physicians who see this video remember their medical oath and that it is their responsibility to act in their patients’ best interests. I am grateful for physicians like Dr. Anthony Orsini who remember the tenets of medicine and are continually trying to bring them back into the forefront of how we practice.
The ethical principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence are of great value when it comes to how physicians talk and deliver news to patients, as they must constantly be balanced. As a provider, it can be easy to forget how the world of healthcare affects patients physically, mentally and emotionally. Providers are constantly around and within the world of treatments, tests, clinics and hospitals, and for patients, each of those places may bring forth certain feelings that providers tend to forget due to constant interaction and comfortability. Dr. Orsini highlights the negative impact that poor communication and delivery of bad news can have on a patient's mental and emotional well-being, discussing how it is essential for physicians to approach these situations with empathy, compassion, and sensitivity to avoid causing harm to their patients. While this is an easy statement to say, in the moment delivery of news caries weight for both the patient and the medical team. In addition to advocating for more compassionate, empathetic providers, there should be additional training on this topic, counseling for providers who hold onto the emotional and mental weight of delivering this news, and space for providers to take the time off that they need to be the best version of themselves for their patients. Further, the healthcare system and medical system have created a challenge for physicians, forcing them to choose between meeting a patient quota for the day and taking the time to connect with their patients, showing them that they too are a human. This presents a significant ethical dilemma as physicians may be forced to choose between causing harm to their patients or providing quality, compassionate care that recognizes the importance of human connection. Allowing physicians the space to interact with patients as a human and connect could have drastically positive impact on patient outcomes and provider burnout. While patients may feel that they are simply a collection of symptoms, many providers are now treated as a factory, diagnosing, treating and prescribing just to hit their daily quota.
Bless you for the difference you make to every life you touch.
Thanks so much Alan.
Seeing so many patients each day I can understand that doctors aren't able to connect with everyone.
Anthony Orsini’s information brings up important ethical considerations about the role of empathy and communication in healthcare. Healthcare providers have a duty and obligation to prioritize the well-being of their patients and to treat them with poise and respect. Orsini argues that this interaction between patient and doctor is essential.
With ethics in mind, healthcare providers have a responsibility to provide compassionate care that respects the autonomy and dignity of their patients. Patients become vulnerable when seeking healthcare, and they rely on healthcare providers to provide them with competent and complete care. This involves not only treating their physical ailments but also addressing their emotional and psychological needs.
Orsini's argument is that healthcare providers who prioritize empathy, communication, and relationship-building are better equipped to meet their ethical obligations to patients. They can build trust with patients, foster open and honest communication, and provide care that is tailored to each patient's unique needs and preferences. I definitely agree with this approach, as I have been able to see on different occasions this method being successful.
However, it's also important to acknowledge the potential limitations of empathy and human connection in healthcare. Healthcare providers may have biases or limitations that prevent them from fully understanding the experiences and needs of their patients. Also, healthcare systems are not perfect. They may be under-resourced, leading to time constraints and other practical limitations that can hinder healthcare providers' ability to provide compassionate care.
Orsini's TED Talk raises important considerations about the role of the human connection in healthcare. While communication and empathy can be critical for meeting certain obligation and needs to patients, it's also important to recognize the potential limitations of these approaches and to address structural and systemic issues that can impact the quality of care. By doing so, I feel we can ensure that healthcare is provided in a way that respects the dignity and autonomy of patients and promotes their overall well-being.
such a connection could help in so many ways - preventative medicine especially.
Useful speech ✅
100% agree! My mother was in and out of the hospital a majority of her life and she did not like most doctors except her last PCP. He was the most compassionate doctor I've ever met and even came to pay his respects at my mother's funeral. I'll never forget that. It's all about human connection. Thank you, Dr. Orsini, for this important message!
Thank you so much!
This is a wonderful talk that points out some very serious flaws in our healthcare system. When taking into consideration the principles of medical ethics, the principle of beneficence comes to mind while watching this TED Talk. The principle of beneficence simply means that the patient’s well-being and safety are being put as a priority. The story Dr. Orsini told is very impactful because it demonstrates how intelligence and skill cannot make up for compassion. It made me think about the current admission process for medical students across the country. So much emphasis is placed on grade point average, MCAT scores, publications, and extracurriculars, while it seems that the more human aspects of the applicant are ignored. This raises the question, is the principle of beneficence being unintentionally forgotten in this quest to find the best and brightest applicants to train as our future healthcare providers? Pre-med students throughout the country have become robot-like in trying to outdo each other with their grades and entrance exam scores, yet they are neglecting to really consider if they have the compassion and a pure intent to help people in the future as healthcare providers. This talk has such an important message that all healthcare providers need to hear. I do believe that in order to uphold the principle of beneficence, all healthcare providers need to learn compassion, communication, and learn how to really connect with those around them. Doing so will not only benefit the patients, but also the families like the baby’s dad in Dr. Orsini’s story.
Dr Orsini your mother was a wise women telling you to befriend everyone, to be present and empathetic. Thanks for sharing!!
Took me a while to figure it out but it makes so much sense!
This is why it is soooooo important to bring in the family members but instead we ignore even dismiss them!!!!
Yes, I can speak first hand about this, being alone and scared in hospital. Having a kind doctor and nurses made all the difference.
Many many of us have had the experience of not being heard or feeling rushed by our doctors. And we pay for the pleasure.
I'm really not surprised to hear this, I've seen the difference first-hand in terms of the affect that supportive and kind health care providers can have on recovery, as opposed to just a sterile and clinical approach.
I don't doubt this for a second. I recently watched another talk about a woman who had a horrible brain aneurism followed by an amazing recovery and she put it down to the excellent, interpersonal care she received from all her nurses and doctors.
What a tremendous Tedx! I did not know that about doctor's suicide rate. That's incredibly sad. I hope your message is heard world wide. Keep up the good work!!!
Thank you for the kind words Sallie. We will keep spreading the message!
A testament to "Dr Cunningham" and his character the fact that he was able to tell Dr Orsini to never follow that example.
I love this so much, well done Dr Orsini I bet your methods have benefited so many people already!
Thank you so much! We certainly hope so!
can't believe it took me so long to watch this, what a great share Terry!
@@nae3185 Thanks so much!
This has probably got to be one of my favorite ted talks that I have watched thus far. Dr. Orsini’s story about “Dr. Cunningham” struck quite a chord with me. A few years ago when I had worked as a medical scribe in the emergency room, we had an unresponsive baby come in with a frantic and tearful mother. I had never seen the nurses and ER techs move so fast that day. Though we’ve had countless of codes come in in the past, we rarely received children, let alone a baby. Unfortunately, that baby did not make it. The attending ER doctor that was working on the case was a former military doctor with a very tough demeanor. That day, I saw him with tears in his eyes. Out of my years working as a scribe, I had never seen any of the attendings that I worked with shed a tear. I don’t know what words were ever exchanged between that attending and the baby’s parents, but I can assure they were words that will stick with them forever. When doctors become doctors, they take an oath to uphold the ethical principle of beneficence, which means to promote good and do what’s best for your patient. To uphold this principle, doctors spend a lot of their time and energy in making sure that they figure out the correct diagnosis and give the correct treatment to ensure that their patients stay alive and healthy. However, what most doctors forget is that human connection and building trust and rapport with your patient(s) also plays a huge role in upholding the principle of beneficence. Dr. Orsini stated in his talk that over 50% of patients felt lack of compassion from their doctors and frequently left the office feeling rushed. Almost 40% of patients ended up changing providers. This lack of rapport, lack of compassion, and lack of connection between doctors and patients only makes it harder for patients to trust doctors, be compliant with their medications, and follow up with their health. This in no way promotes good for the patient or is what’s best for them. Physicians have become, as Dr. Orsini states, too “task-oriented” and less “patient-oriented.” I understand that some physicians have become this way at no fault of their own, but instead due to physician shortage and poor way that the healthcare system is set up. At the end of his talk, Dr. Orsini encourages the audience, as patients, to try and connect with their doctor to start building that relationship. While I agree that patients should put in effort, I believe that doctors should also be encouraged to stop and remember why they entered the field of medicine.
I believe a good connection with a patient helps a Dr to come up with the correct diagnosis ,reduces hospital stay ,repeat visits,pill burden + effects of pharmacodyanamic.
This is a really wonderful notion Anthony and coming from someone with first-hand experience makes me feel more compelled to believe it
Great message! I’ve had some really bad Dr-patient experiences, and I’ve also seen first hand how Dr. Orsini’s personal connection can make the worst of times easier to get through.
That’s so kind of you to say, our goal is to help every provider find their way to better connections.
Thank you for wanting to spread this way Dr Orsini, I can only hope your actions influence the next generation of doctors after you
Thanks, Nicholas, we know that each doctor we train will affect the lives of thousands of patients.
I work in healthcare sector. As a staff member I realise that the patients that come to the hospital are nervous and anxious. Some of them even cry with what's going on with them. As a member of staff I try to ask them their well being in the limited time that I have to interact. Its important to be able to connect. But the reality is that there is not much time with the doctor to build a human connection. Lack of staff, lack of resources does put some amount of pressure on the overall care that is given to the patient. Having said that if all of us do our job with compassion, we can see great results in patient care. If you show confidence is the system and your ability to give best care, patients can feel the vibes and feel better about the whole treatment process that they have to go through.
This is really true - about the nervous and anxious part. A little care and some soothing words makes all the difference
You are so right Poonam. You can form a relationship in 56 seconds, you just need to know how.
Dr. Orsini’s discussion regarding the human connection is a great reminder on how the doctor-patient relationship flourishes when there’s a mutual, personable understanding between both parties. Unfortunately, I feel if healthcare systems don’t change soon, the rates of physician suicide and burnout are going to continually increase and patients will continually loathe and mistrust their physicians, perhaps even skipping caring for their health at all. The healthcare system is extremely overloaded now with incessant need for administrative duties that most primary care physicians don’t even feel as if they are practicing medicine anymore. While I could probably refer to any of the medical ethics principles, beneficence seems the most applicable in this case. Physicians are called upon to uphold the ethical principle of beneficence, or in other words, providing the best care they can for their patients. However, I can understand how difficult upholding beneficence might be when a physician’s workload is overwhelming, and he/she is overburdened with administrative duties. I really appreciate that Dr. Orsini also provides ways for patients to assist in their own encounters with their physicians by asking general questions such as how their physician is doing, have they taken a vacation recently, seen a recent game, etc. I feel these simple questions in a new doctor-patient relationship can indeed help a physician to relax and help establish a personable, empathetic foundation for the relationship to build. Once that relationship has a solid foundation, a physician can better uphold the ethical principle of beneficence and the patient will have much more trust in his/her physician.
This moving video inspired me to discuss the importance of empathy, human connection, and interpersonal communication skills that doctors need to have to give successful medical care to their patients. This video made me aware that so many patients are dissatisfied with their healthcare experience largely due to how the doctors communicated with them and the lack of compassion or understanding the physician showed to them during their visit. The doctor could have done everything right academically, but, if the physician has little to no personal skills during that visit - the patient could still change providers, be dissatisfied with their health care, and choose to not invest in their health through the hospital again. My university has many opportunities for practice in this setting before we get into the real world and it has been extremely useful. Many physicians feel inadequate when it comes to the emotional burnout that this job requires and largely this is due to a lack of training, education, and empathy that is put on them obtaining and incorporating interpersonal skills, empathy, and human connection in their practice. What are the benefits of all of this? There are many but we will start with how important it is for doctors to have a close relationship with their patients because it creates a safe environment for patients to share sensitive and crucial information about lifestyle, medical history, or habits that they need to treat their patients correctly and with quality. Having these essential interpersonal skills is so important because it reduces the patient's fear, anxiety, and even pain while on a visit with their doctor which increases the likelihood of them returning and which helps manage chronic to moderate conditions that they may have. The empathy that doctors have helps them personalize treatment to their patients which in turn increases the likelihood that patients will comply with their doctor's orders ultimately increasing their overall well-being. In summary, we future doctors must be aware of how our body posture, tone, language, and verbal communication are essential to our patient's survival and the quality of the relationship they will have.
Rapport and trust are so important when tackling one's health - not just with your health care provider but when one's self. When we are able to hold space for ourselves we are better equipped to understand and articulate what is going on within ourselves which leads to an easier job for the people who care for us and help us.
I couldn't agree more!.Thanks for reaching out!
Hospitals are buzzing with patients 24/7 who all need a connection with their doctors.
Dr. Anthony Orsini talked about a very powerful experience that resonated with me. We all have our reasons that we wanted to get into the medical field. We also have our own paths that we have taken to come to the point where we are in our careers. Through out this whole journey we have interacted with many people and will continue to do so in the coming years.
The story about the baby passing really stopped me cold... I can't imagine anyone facing that. Bless this kind man for making a difference.
Thank you so much Jesse. It has been a great privilege to care for so many families and teaching providers how to do that is truly my life's mission.
It makes a lot of sense that this would be so valuable for the patient, when we're feeling uneasy about something our whole nervous system flips to high alert and being hospitalized long-term is super uncomfortable
What an eye opening talk. Had no idea doctors were so impacted by their patients' outcomes - figured the majority had mastered just switching off emotions, goodness I was wrong!
That used to be called “detached empathy” and it was taught a long time ago! With today’s technologically savvy patients, that kind of behavior just doesn’t work. It’s all in the delivery!
I cannot imagine the range of emotions health care professionals experience each day. Whatever their pay it's not enough.
Thanks so much, Jay.
Brilliant talk Anthony, thank you for sharing your perspective in this way
Dr. Orsini brings up a pretty scary yet very accurate point, “Doctors are now more task oriented than patient oriented.” Whether this is because physicians are now more burnt out due to increase focus on quantity of medicine over quality or purely because of the stress associated with our jobs, either way it puts the health of our patients at risk. I have now seen multiple videos over the last few weeks that stress the importance of this doctor patient relationship but none of them explained it quite as well as Dr. Orsini. Physicians live by a certain ethical code of beneficence, we go out of our way to help provide the best care for our patients and avoid anything that would bring them harm. However, as physicians we often get stuck in a rut as we rush from patient to patient that unconsciously or maybe even consciously we begin to neglect the social needs of our patients and that trust that can only be established by taking time to get to know our patients. He talks about an example of a patient that is more willing to take their medication when they have established trust with their physician vs. a patient who’s doctor has not taken time to foster that relationship and thus lacks trust in their advice. We can see that despite the physicians best interest at heart they cannot remove the patient’s autonomy to disregard their treatment recommendations, however, with the help of building a relationship of trust they can improve their ability to help patients see the benefits of the suggested treatment. So really building trust is a requirement for a physician to live an ethical career and truly demonstrate beneficence to their patients.
I also agree with Dr. Orsini though, a lot of the healthcare experience also relies heavily on the patient and their efforts to interact with their physicians. In medical school we often have practice patients where we as physicians have to ask the right questions to get information regarding the patient’s conditions. This is a lot like that game of guess who using key questions to find who the other person has behind their hidden panel. While the adventure/game of finding the right questions to ask can be fun, it is also exhausting and when done 20+ times a day it can be exhausting. That is where patients can make a huge difference by helping doctors feel comfortable treating them so synergistically, they can improve the overall healthcare experience.
I appreciate people like Dr. Orsini highlighting the difficult part of medicine for doctors. We often overlook that doctors are people, they have emotions, they have challenges, and they empathize with their patients and to an extent suffer when those around them suffer. Hopefully with more influence from people like Dr. Orsini we can refocus medicine from task oriented to patient oriented.
Dr. Orsini has been working with healthcare providers to teach them the communication skills necessary to build trusting relationships with patients and families for more than a decade. If you want to know the secret of getting the best healthcare experience the next time you go to the office or hospital, this is a must see. Take 10 minutes out of your day and benefit for the rest of your life.
Thank you for such a lovely talk Dr Orsini! You can really tell how much you care for your patients and I think you're spot on! People who feel heard, seen and understood by their doctor are also more likely to follow their recommendations.
Dr. Orsini discusses a fundamental part of healthcare and that is human connection. No matter what someone does in the medical field, whether that be a physician, nurse, P.A., N.P, medical technician, etc. there is always some sort of human connection that is involved in the care of the patient. Physicians are placed under massive stressors to document correctly and on time, as well as meeting a certain quota. Due to this, some physicians can forget the real reason why they became a physician in the first place; to help people. Hearing from people in my life, I hear about people who are completely dissatisfied with their healthcare and from people who absolutely love their physician. The people who love their physician all have one common thing they like about their healthcare provider and that is feeling like they are being heard. As in the story that Dr. Orsini gave at the beginning of his talk, there are many instances where people are in their most vulnerable state when dealing with healthcare. Whether that be their loved ones having the medical problem or themselves. So being heard, communicated well to, and feeling like there is a connection there is so important. This importance is also included in practicing techniques such as the 4 C’s of culturally appropriate communication (call, cause, cope, concerns). This technique allows physicians to give the patient and or their family the opportunity to explain where they are coming from. It also can open up a door into the insight of cultural, religious, and fundamental beliefs of the patient. This can lead to better health outcomes and improved satisfaction with care. People want to be heard and even more so when they are having an issue that puts them in a vulnerable state. I absolutely agree with Dr. Orsini that building rapport and maintaining trust with a patient is so vital to the doctor patient relationship. I also liked how he brought up ways that a patient can also help build this trust and give physicians a chance to break from the administrative stressors that comes with the role of being a physician. At the end of the day, it is important to remember that patients and healthcare providers are all people who want to have human connection.
I really hope we continue to research and uncover just how much the mental, spiritual and emotional parts of us affect the physical. I think it's so much more than modern medicine gives it credit for
Thank you so much Emma!
My oncologist was the most humble, loving and gentle person I met during my cancer treatment. He welcomed each patient with a huge hug and a bigger smile. Made a big difference!!
That’s amazing, we wish everyone share that same connection! We will keep trying!
I found Dr. Orsini’s comment about being a relatable person and a doctor second most interesting and ties greatly into the discussion of ethics. In the medical field it is so often expected that the doctor knows everything. As a medical student this idea becomes quite apparent and can make us forget why we wanted to practice medicine in the first place. I think Dr. Orsini’s comment about being a relatable person first is exactly the kind of mindset doctors need to continuously remind themselves of. Medicine is not about knowing everything. It’s about working with patients and letting them be a part of their care. Specifically allowing the patients to have autonomy. This ultimately will lead to better healthcare outcomes and improve the doctor patient relationship. I also strongly believe this would put a lot less stress on doctors and lead to a decrease in burn out. The focus isn’t solely on coming to the correct diagnosis, which certainly is important, but rather allowing the doctor to be honest when they do not know what is going on. It opens up the conversation between the patient and doctor which is so often left behind. From the patient perspective I know I do not expect my doctor to know everything, all I ask for is open communication and an understanding that my voice is being heard.
I really hope these methods catch on. As someone who has been around a lot of health care providers, I've always responded better to those who engage with you on a personal level.
We agree! Thanks for the comments!
This is so inspiring
Like in any industry, without the relationship with the patient/customer/client - we are not really doing what is BEST for them.
I always thought Doctors, surgeons and physicians especially, had to keep that kind of distance for a reason... but I guess it makes just as much sense for those reasons to be disregarded for the benefit of the patient.
It has been proved that when a patient feels a connection to their doctor, they are more compliant and tend to stick to treatment plans. It's the human connection that helps build trust and rapport. Thanks for the comment!
My heart goes out to pediatric doctors and nurses.
Thanks Lina!
This is a captivating piece; reminiscent of a book that captivated from start to finish. "Your Body Your Temple" by Various Authors
hey
what was the book about?
Positive body image @@advaitpanicker7357
Dr. Orsini made a point in his video of what medicine truly is. It’s not about science or technology or how smart the doctor is. It comes down to human-to-human interaction between patient and doctor. It is bewildering to me the data they were able to get from surveys and how 71% stated that their doctor lacked compassion. In healthcare, human connection should play a vital role in improving patient outcomes. A lot of the time, that human connection is essential for our own well-being and that doctor-patient relationship shouldn’t be different. Dr Orsini mentioned how burnout from doctors has moved them to being more task oriented rather than patient oriented which can be disheartening. When patients feel connected and supported by their healthcare providers, they are more likely to adhere to treatment plans, report symptoms more accurately, and overall have better health outcomes. It is important for healthcare providers to be able to connect with their patients. I really liked how Dr. Orsini mentioned a few ways that doctors and patients can connect on that first visit and that is something I personally didn’t realize. Being able to talk to my doctor as a friend and someone I trust has personally helped me improve my health outcomes. Improving that relationship can help reduce settings for patients in which they might be stressed or have some anxiety. It is important that healthcare providers take the time to connect with their patients and to establish that rapport. Ultimately, this will build trust between the doctor and patient and make a significant difference in the patient’s well-being.
This is so important for the medical industry to hear, but will they listen?
I whole heartedly agree with Dr. Orsini. There has been a massive push by various organizations to make medicine about the numbers rather than the patients. Certain exams, treatments, tests, are pushed over others because of financial gain, not because it will genuinely help the patient. I know several physicians who are required by their governing organizations to see a patient every 15 minutes. That is supposed include charting as well. Its unfeasible and irrational. More importantly, it is harmful to the patients. Doctors and healthcare professionals in general are held to extremely unrealistic standards. They are all highly motivated individuals and want to do their best, but having such rigorous demands forces them to lose the human connection. It becomes very easy for them to disconnect and view their patients as numbers because that is what they are told to do. This directly violates patients autonomy while also violating the ethical principle of beneficence. Autonomy in healthcare is vital. When physicians and patients develop a relationship that allows them to openly communicate with one another, they allow for opportunity to fully analyze the character of their disease process and reach the most appropriate plan of care possible. They also facilitate trust which, as Dr. Orsini said, increases compliance in treatment and also improves healthcare outcomes. It is very tragic that physicians commit suicide at a higher rate than any other profession. It is easy to see that change needs to happen. I think that a great start would be encouraging physicians and patients to develop the human connection and take more time to get to know one another. This will humanize medicine and result in better healthcare for all while simultaneously providing physicians with the human connection they entered medicine for in the first place.
At the 5:06 minute mark, 71% of surveyed patients felt their doctors lacked compassion. That's a heart breaking number.
We agree and hope to change that number with each doctor who hears our message.
It feels like the idea of human connection will only become increasingly more important in the future, as we continue toward healthcare practices that promote efficiency of time and money rather than genuine human empathy and personal care. The statistics which Dr. Orsini shared about 71% of surveyed patients perceiving a lack of compassion from their providers and 73% feeling rushed were both painful to see and, sadly, not that surprising. Compassion and empathy are crucial in situations where patients are facing serious or life-threatening illnesses. When patients receive a difficult diagnosis, they may experience a range of emotions, and healthcare providers who demonstrate compassion and empathy during these times can provide emotional support and comfort to their patients. This is essential in helping patients cope with their illness and navigate the healthcare system. When healthcare providers demonstrate compassion and empathy towards their patients, they are better able to establish a therapeutic relationship based on mutual trust and respect. Patients are more likely to feel comfortable discussing their concerns and disclosing sensitive information when they perceive their healthcare providers as compassionate and empathetic. This, in turn, can improve diagnosis and treatment, as healthcare providers are better able to understand patients' unique circumstances and tailor care to meet their individual needs.
When healthcare providers demonstrate compassion and empathy towards their patients, they are better able to establish a therapeutic relationship based on mutual trust and respect. Patients are more likely to feel comfortable discussing their concerns and disclosing sensitive information when they perceive their healthcare providers as compassionate and empathetic. This, in turn, can improve diagnosis and treatment, as healthcare providers are better able to understand patients' unique circumstances and tailor care to meet their individual needs. The principles of medical ethics, which include autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice, require healthcare providers to prioritize the well-being of their patients, which goes beyond physical health. Patients are not just a collection of symptoms and medical data, but they are human beings with unique emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
The healthcare system we have currently is fundamentally unsustainable. Changes are being made to shift the load off primary care physicians, but I personally still see efficiency being prioritized over quality human interaction. I don’t know what it would take to allow doctors to spend more time empathizing with their patients, but a change is needed.
Dr. Orsini, thank you so much for your wonderful perspective on compassion and empathy in doctor-patient interactions. I especially liked hearing the story of your experience with your mentor when he had to deliver bad news to a patient’s father. It’s clear that your mentor knew he had not done a good job with this task, and it weighed very heavily on him. It’s a common theme among physicians that they struggle with how to deliver bad news to a patient in a kind and empathetic way. I think that this likely stems from a fear of how the patient will react as well as a fear on the doctor’s part that they will get very emotionally involved in that moment and not be able to control it. Many doctors want to go into medicine because they feel a lot of compassion and empathy for their patients, and when you feel things so deeply, it can be hard to separate yourself from putting yourself in your patient’s shoes. I know why Dr. Orsini recommends doing this with patients-it can do exactly what he said with compassion pouring forth very easily. But this can be a double-edged sword when it has the potential to step over the line of being too emotional as a doctor. Physicians should not be un-feeling robots, but also must maintain professionalism along with empathy.
Being empathetic is truly the new wave of medicine, though. And this is not a bad thing-the idea of including empathy as a necessary component of patient care aligns beautifully with the ethical concepts of beneficence and non-maleficence. Meaning, doing the most good and not doing harm to patients. These are the basis of what every physician should be striving for in their care and interactions with patients. I like the idea presented by Dr. Orsini that a certain amount of this rapport and trust-building goes both ways. It seems to benefit everyone involved when patients see their doctors as humans, not just task-oriented medical care machines. It is entirely possible for empathy and compassion to flow both ways, without overstepping the boundaries of a doctor-patient relationship. Having the time as a physician to build these types of trusting relationships with their patients would likely have a positive trickle-down effect, leading to less burn out and decreased suicide rates for physicians, and overall better care and outcomes for patients. Shouldn’t this be the goal of healthcare? I believe it should, and not just be a machine designed to maximize productivity and minimize expenditures for the benefit of the corporate overlords of healthcare. Reframing the goals and mindset of both patients and providers in this way and creating a demand for empathy and compassion within the system would result in maximizing beneficence and non-maleficence not only for patients, but for doctors as well.
I liked what Dr. Orsini had to say about the relation of the human connection and healthcare. He mentions that medicine is now becoming “task oriented instead of patient oriented.” This shift in the focus of healthcare is resulting in a loss of physician autonomy. In medicine, autonomy is the concept that one has the freedom to choose when it comes to their care. We often recognize that patients have autonomy when it comes to their healthcare, but physicians do too. Doctors have the freedom to choose the conditions of practice and the care delivered within the patient’s best interest. As Dr. Orsini stated, “medicine is becoming more and more about increased documentation, electronic medical records, and maximized efficiency.” This model of healthcare practice is taking the autonomy from the doctor to manage their practice as they see fit. The dictation of practice management is happening from the top down, and currently the ‘top’ is not the physician, it is management and private and public health insurance companies dictating patient care. This idea that the physician is not in charge may lead to a decrease in patient trust thus worse healthcare outcomes. The loss of physician autonomy threatens healthcare. While I see the value of practice management and health insurance programs, they need to take an alternate position in the chain of command. We need to transition back to a system where the physician and patient are at the ‘top’ and the rest follows. Too often we see insurances denying the care that is prescribed by a physician, but if this recommendation is being made with the patient’s well-being in mind, then why are these organizations getting the final say on if this treatment happens or not. As stated before, we need to change the current hierarchy of the healthcare system to restore physician autonomy. The demands of doing more in less time need to end. Physicians need to stop being asked to, “do more and more in less and less time.” They need to be able to take the time with their patients to be first “a relatable person” and “a doctor second.” By doing so as Dr. Orsini mentions, “rapport is built, and trust will follow.” This is the concept that medicine needs to be built upon and significant change needs to be made for the current medical system to get to this point.
As a future physician I truly believe that a humanistic connection with our patients is a vital component of healthcare, one that can significantly change patient outcomes. When a patient feels heard and understood by their provider, they are going to be more likely to adhere to treatment plans. Moreover, this will only increase the positive perceptions with the patients of their overall experience. We as providers have a moral obligation to prioritize foster a meaningful connection with every patient we encounter. Often in medical treatment, providers can easily fall into only focusing on the technical aspects of medica care, such as what procedure needs to be performed, interpreting lab results and even administering medications. Yet we must remember that Medicare at its core is about helping people. One must always no fall into predations about patients just being diagnoses. Each patient will provide unique individual needs and only through our experience with connections with that patient can we fully understand and address those factors. One major way that human confection influences healthcare is by increasing the trust and confidence between patients and their provider. When patients feel that providers genially care for them and are interested in their own well-being, they are far more likely to trust their medical recommendation and expertise. This without a doubt will lead to better health outcomes. Moreso, lifestyle changes can be often a difficult thing to encourage a patient to do. A well-established, caring connection will help to make these difficult decisions to help and support their health goals. The benefits of a well-established human connection between a provider and patient does not only just benefit the patient, but it also improves the healthcare providers experiences. When tame is taken to get to know one’s patient, you become part of their life. Connection with them on a personal level allows providers to feel more satisficed in their work, while also giving them a sense of purpose by having impacts on their patients live. This can help to prevent physician burnout, increase provider retention rates, all while maintaining a stable healthcare workforce for the community. Fostering of this connection in healthcare does not come easy. Awareness of many ethical considerations must be taken into account by the provider. Such consideration as ensuring cultural sensitivity, an environment of a judgment free zone, and free from any biases. Providers must also ensure that patient autonomy and their right to make healthcare decisions based on informed care is granted. There is no doubt that the human connection is a critical component of healthcare that can significantly healthcare outcomes as well as provider satisfaction. As providers we all have the moral duty to prioritize and foster such environments with our patients all while upholding ethical principles, we all swore to protect. Implementation of such practices will result in a more patient centered approach to healthcare, by bringing compassion, understand and support of all patient’s wen encounter in our profession.
I think another reason why this is so important is that we're so much more inclined to ask questions when we feel comfortable. If you have a doctor that's barely looking you in the eye and rushing you through your treatment options it can make you feel so small you just want to get away from them.
You are so right! Establishing rapport and forming trust actually saves time for that very reason! Thanks for listening!
Kindness and connection improve all aspects of life, I'm so shocked that anyone could be unaware of that.
The take home message for me "Systems are designed for the masses but medicine only works when doctors can treat patients one at a time".
It is easy to focus on the science and ethics of being a doctor but the art of medicine and integrating humanity into practice is just as important if not more to the care that is provided to patients and their families.
To provide true beneficence, healthcare providers need to prioritize the opportunities to convey compassion throughout each interaction.
But how do healthcare providers balance being human as well as professional in the workplace? I think that looks different for each person and circumstances but we can all agree that building that rapport leads to better trust and patient outcomes.
I've read some comments that have said they don't think the connection should matter when it has been proven time and time again that our nervous system and immune system are very much connected
Lyndsay, you are so right! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
I think especially for healthcare professionals being reminded that there is a human behind each case.
Man that story about the baby just had me weeping... and I don't even have or want babies. I can't imagine how difficult that kind of a situation is on everyone involved. I thought Dr Cunningham might have told him some trope like you have to be cold and removed otherwise it takes too much of a toll but wow.
Thanks Marek, it was a pivotal moment for Dr. Orsini and we will always be grateful for that vulnerability. It lead to our program and Dr. Orsini’s mission!
I understand that though, how it would become so much harder to be objective about the care you're giving someone if you're also emotionally invested in them
I think, unless being empathetic came super naturally to you, the emotion that it would take to connect to each patient would be immense. Having said that I don't really know how many patients the average doctor or nurse has to see in a day but I imagine it's ALOT
Studies show that forming relationships with your patients helps ease burnout, not cause it. Isn’t that amazing?
What he says at the 4:04 mark is spot on. It's the culmination of so many things and I think the actual HEALING aspect of medicine has just fallen by the wayside.
Maybe this could become a new thing that's taught in medical school?
We hope so too! We have really seen a difference in the programs we work with that have acknowledged this as a skill to be proud of and not a task. Thanks for watching!
Man I can't imagine how difficult it would be to telling someone their loved one had just died. To be honest I sort of understand going into a cold emotionless state to do it otherwise you'd be distraught as well
Hey Lizette, it could actually do more harm than good for the physician. Thanks so much for taking the time to listen and comment.
In an ideal world there would be enough resources and public money for every doctor to work with something like a social worker who could do the heavy emotional lifting for them... like a nurse but for feelings
I think once again this is a case of being stuck with out dated systems. Hospitals and other medical practices are still run very similarly to those first infirmary's that were attached to monastery's back in the day - to the point where most of them even have chapels attached.
Yes Sylvie, you are so right. It's hard to be skilled at something you were never taught to do. Most training methods are outdated, we hope to change that! Thanks for watching.
Do medical students get any training on how to communicate with their patients? I wonder.
Most receive only a short lecture if even that. Seems crazy right? Thanks for listening and leaving a comment.
What he's saying here is pretty interesting and I can't help but think of medicine women, witch doctors, shamans... all the healers way before modern medicine and how within smaller communities those people would have known and cared about one another and maybe that would have helped the process in some way?
As I get older the doctors that treat me get younger and younger. Can be tricky to take advice from someone you could have parented.
This just seems like logical sense doesn't it?
All I can think about is the article I read once about how loneliness for a person is like smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. i'm lonely AND i already smoke a pack a day... lol!
Thank you Hermes for listening.
Orsini family huh? Pepe Orsini gotta be his ancestor.
Who comforts doctors and nurses after they lose a patient? It's easy to see how suicide rate among the profession are high.
This seems incredibly obvious
book outliners
I wonder if all Doctors really have that good bedside manner though. The only dude I went to school with who wanted to be a Doctor was the most socially awkward person I've ever known.
Hey Ken, imagine how much less awkward people would be if they learned how to do it properly. Thanks for listening.
Im a psychiatric provider and don't chart, just spend time listening to them. I'll send their meds and jot down info but you know what? My charting accumulates and I've been spending every Saturday finishing about 70 notes.
I simply don't know what to do
It's almost ironic that Doctors get so much training and learn so much about the human body and how to fix it physically but then nothing at all about how to relate to a person?
Isn't it? Such an important skill that is not taught, and we hope to change that. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment!
EXACTLY
This seems incredibly obvious but then I thought about how much stuff doctors have to learn before actually becoming doctors and after realising that it just seems ironic. That they teach you everything about how to clinically treat a person but they forget to teach you how to TREAT a person. Hopefully y'all understand the distinction I'm making here.
Hey Barb, we hear you and agree 100%! Seems crazy that this incredibly difficult task is overlooked. Thanks for taking the time to listen.
Health care who cares why can't we self medicate mental health care just goes around in circles am reaching out going through a long time health of PTSD bipolar manic depressive ADHD and addiction trama
I can't help but think that is the result of the role of a Doctor being reduced to a profession and then glorified within certain cultures like, if you aren't a Doctor, Lawyer or Engineer you're a failure and bring shame on the family. People who are only doing something to please someone else will never have their entire heart in it.
Thanks for drawing to our attention that Doctors now have the highest suicide rate. Had no idea.
Frightening isn't it? Thanks for listening.