The Art and Science of Compassionate Care: A Practical Guide

Description:

This book provides a practical guide on the art and science of compassionate care in an era of healthcare crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic that is inflicting long-lasting financial and psychosocial trauma on an unprecedented scale. A new approach to compassionate care is presented based on the overarching concepts of empathy, person and family centeredness, therapeutic relationship, kindness, gratitude, spirituality, communication skills, shared decision making, positive psychology, adversity-activated development, self-care, compassion fatigue, spirituality which are more than ever critical in successfully managing the pandemic adversity in front of us.

This book draws on clinical experience, educational activities and evidence-based knowledge from academic physicians (primary, secondary and tertiary care), nurses, psychologists, health economists, healthcare managers, health policymakers, medical professionals students and patients. It provides skills and knowledge that can be implemented in daily clinical practice based on all levels of healthcare on a whole-person approach. An array of clinical cases, patient journeys, published evidence and practical experience is combined to deliver in a practical way unique guidance and advice. The target audience is all healthcare professionals, health policymakers, healthcare managers and patient associations. This approach of Compassionate Care is of great importance and can save lives and money in these unprecedented times of global healthcare care system challenges.

Table of contents :

Preface
References
Contents
1: Compassionate Care and Evidence-Based Medicine
Introduction
A Definition of Compassion
A Brief History of Evidence-Based Medicine
Criticisms of Evidence-Based Medicine
Clinical Guidelines
Guidelines, Not Tramlines
Patient Autonomy and Shared Decision Making
Compassionate Care in the Future
References
2: Compassionate Self-Care for the Compassionate Healthcare Professional: Challenges and Interventions
Introduction
Case 1: Restrictive Emotionality
Case 2: “I Need to Need”
Case 3: Self-Doubt
Case 4: Emotional and Verbal Self-Oppression
Case 5: Injecting Life into Living
Case 6: A Preventable Death
Self-Care: Challenges
Self-Care: Interventions into Practice
Redefining Success
References
3: Compassionate Care in Crisis
Introduction
Crises
Pandemic Crises
Refugee Crises
Healthcare Crisis
Compassion Crises
Conclusion
References
4: Cultivating Compassion in the New Generation
Introduction
Why Is This Important for Students?
How Compassion Is Developed or Eroded
What to Teach and How to Teach It?
Cultivate, Check, Conserve
Prospective Medical Students
Medical Students
Junior Doctors
Senior Doctors
Conclusion
References
5: Compassionate Care Within the Primary Health Care Setting: Before and During a Public Health Crisis
Traditional General Practice and the Role of Compassion
Changes in Family Medicine Following COVID
Role of GPs in the Vaccination Roll-Out
Mental Health During COVID-19 and the Role of PHC
Loneliness and Isolation
Hard-to-Reach Populations/Rural Areas
Organisational Factors
Solidarity and the COVID-19 Pandemic
Concluding Remarks
References
6: Compassionate Critical Care: A “3C” Model
Introduction
ICU Environment
Concept of Compassionate Care and Difference with Empathy
Health Care Professionals Role in Providing Compassionate Care
Value and Goals of Compassionate Carer
Enhancing Communication Between HCP, Patients and Family
Maintaining CCC and Preventing Fatigue in ICU HCPs
References
7: Communicating Genuine Empathy for Compassionate Care: A Case for Identity Exploration, Congruence, and Inclusive Organisational Cultures
Introduction: The Expression of Genuine Empathy in Healthcare
Authenticity, Identity Development, and Congruence in the Communication of Genuine Empathy
Cultivating a Culture of Inclusion in Healthcare Organisations
Conclusion
References
8: Organising Compassionate Care with Compassionate Leadership
Introduction
The Need for Compassionate Leadership in Healthcare
What Is Compassionate Leadership?
Compassionate Leadership as a NEAR Process
Noticing
Empathising
Appraising
Responding
A Systems View of Compassionate Leadership
Three Lens for Viewing Compassionate Leadership
Power
Paradox
Conservation of Resources
Discussion
Conclusions
References
9: Compassionate Care and Health Economics
Introduction
The Status Quo: Measuring Outcomes in Economic Evaluations for Compassionate Care
Proposal for a Change: DCEs to Inform Health Economics for Compassionate Care
Case Study: Application of DCE to Value the Implementation of Compassionate SDM for Diabetes Care
Conclusion
References
10: Compassionate Spiritual Care
Introduction
Compassion and Spiritual Care: A Focus on Definitions
The Role of Spiritual Care Services in Clinical Practice
Skills and Attitudes for Effective Compassionate Spiritual Care
The Impact of Spiritual Care in Healthcare
Five Key Spiritual Virtues for Compassionate Healthcare Professionals and Spiritual Care Services Personnel
Gratitude
Forgiveness
Prayer
Altruistic Behavior
Conclusion
References
Conclusion: The Spirit of This Book
Useful Chapter Conclusions and Key Recommendations