What is it about?
Much of the conversation in health care today revolves around the idea of person-centered care. But what is person-centered care, really? This reflection speaks to that important question.
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Why is it important?
As the modern health care system has become more complex and dollar-driven, it has also become more transaction-oriented and less relationship-oriented. To provide the highest quality care, prevent caregiver burnout and protect the dignity and spirit of both patients and caregivers, it is imperative to remember that health care is fundamentally about people taking care of people.
Perspectives
In this reflection, I've tried to highlight the centrality of empathy in health care, of being able to put oneself in another's place and to recognize that, in the end, we are not so different. The patient in this piece needed to be seen--literally and figuratively. I have certainly had that experience as well; in some ways, I was having a parallel experience, right along with the patient. The generous and empathic spirit of the hospital administrator allowed that to happen for the patient and for me as well.
Chaplain Karen Lieberman
Columbia St. Mary's
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The Need to Be Seen, Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling Advancing theory and professional practice through scholarly and reflective publications, March 2016, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/1542305015622390.
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