I was browsing my LinkedIn messages and came across a post from Bruce Berger, Ph.D., where he introduced a new term that immediately caught my attention. The term was Health Kind Professional (HKP).
Bruce is a colleague and a friend, and someone who understands people. He is a leader and an educator in the field of Motivational Interviewing, so when he writes a post, I take time to read it as he always has something important to say that I can learn to improve my practice.
I was instantly drawn to the term Health Kind Professional (HKP) and wanted to share it with readers of Nurses Advocates in this week’s Blog Post as I wish all healthcare professionals who are KIND to start using this acronym so it catches on.
We all know that the healthcare system is fragmented, complex, and hectic, but one thing it cannot be is unkind to patients, families, or the people working in it. As a nurse advocate, I am seeing more and more how unkind our healthcare system can be, so I am joining Dr. Berger to advocate for all healthcare professionals who are KIND to add the acronym to your title and see how many people notice it and ask you what it is. This way, we can raise awareness that kindness is essential everywhere, especially in healthcare.
Dr. Berger shared in his post that he was “advocating for a new type of individual…someone who puts kindness and compassion above all else when dealing with patients. Someone who understands that it is a gift that we are given every time a patient lets us into their world. It is a gift, whether that is to show us their fear, joy, frustration, or anger. And because it is a gift, health kind professionals are willing to be introspective and look inside and ask, “What keeps me from being fully available to my patients? What would allow me to enter each relationship with my heart open and ready to listen?”
He shared that Health Kind Professionals ascribe to the following principles:
1) I willfully enter into non-reciprocal relationships with my patients. I owe them everything. They owe me nothing.
2) When I make myself authentically available to my patients, the experience connects and enlarges us.
3) I will make every effort possible to demonstrate FIRST to my patients that I am listening to them before any educational interventions.
4) I fully understand and respect that I am not in charge of patient decision-making…patients are in charge of their decisions. I can certainly influence patient decision-making by the relationships I build with my patients, and I will offer patients insights and education to help them make the best decisions possible, but it is their decision.
5) I fully understand that patients are not responsible for any lack of caring or kindness I display. That is my responsibility, and I need to take it seriously and ask myself what wound was triggered in me that caused me to not be fully available.
At the end of his post, he asks what other principles you would add to this list. If you are a Health Kind Professional, please add your comment, and I will share them with Dr. Berger!
Thank you for reading this post and for being kind!
NOTE: To learn more about Dr. Bruce Berger and is work visit, https://www.mihcp.com/
I will be proactive in providing solutions and continue to evaluate my interactions and patient centered interventions to see where I can improve my personal performance.
Anne,
In my 39 years of managed care with injured workers, during my initial interview I made it a point to tell the client he/she would be treated by me as I would like my family members treated.
– The word kindness was not uttered. However, in my mind, it was implied.
– I also told the client I would assume the truth would always be told by the client. However, if I ever found out the client was lying about compliance with clinicians and insurance rules/regulations, my attitude for working with the client would change! My compliance would be followed with all medical and insurance directions, that would not be compromised. However, it would damage our relationship. AGAIN, kindness was implied!!
Thank you for sharing your and Dr. Berger’s thoughts and advice.
I love this approach to our client relationships as well as with all of the folks we interact with in our lives. Life is so busy these days. No one seems to have time to step back for a minute and really listen! It appears opinions are set in stone without respect to the feeling and opinions of others.
I would be proud to add HKP to my initials. Perhaps it would help to remember to take that breathe, slow down, really listen and always react with kindness.
Thank you for sharing Anne!
Thank you Anne for sharing this. Human kindness and compassion are at the heart of patient- centered care! ❤️
I will be “Patient-Centered” All of our clients are individuals with their own history and we need to know this and understand their needs
We cannot allow a cooky cutter approach to care
Hi Anne,
What an awesome opportunity to awaken our purpose in choosing nursing as our life’s work. My commitment is to bring my whole self into each patient engagement and apply the “Platinum Rule” to treat others even better than expected. Give my best regards to Bruce!