I stand before you as a patient, not as a doctor. We are all patients. If you are not one, then one day you will be. It's an inevitable truth of life.Pradeep Chopra, MD, 2013 Schwartz Center
Compassionate Caregiver Award Recipient
SOME EXAMPLES OF COMPASSIONATE HEALTHCARE
ONE DAY WE WILL ALL BE PATIENTS
Every day, we walk into the worst moments in people's lives, moments that are etched forever in their memories, so it's important for us to understand that compassion brings new dimensions of meaning to what we do, and also, I'm quite sure, better outcomes.Scott Pomeroy, MD, PhD, 1999 Schwartz Center
Compassionate Caregiver Award Recipient
In focus groups, patients spoke about compassionate caregivers
- “He knows my name and something about me.”
- “She smiles and looks me in the eye.”
- “He listens, doesn’t interrupt, nods his head, doesn’t rush me.”
- “She places a reassuring hand on my shoulder.”
- “He asks questions about non-medical issues, like a friend.”
Patients want these qualities in compassionate caregivers
- Being able to communicate information in a way I understand
- Involving me in decisions about my care
- Listening attentively
- Treating me like a person
- Showing respect for me and my family
- Spending enough time with me
MEET THE COMPASSIONATE CAREGIVERS WHO MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE