Caregiver Becomes Patient: 3 Arguments for QI

I consider myself lucky. Until lately, I did not need any surgeries or extensive medical care. But this suddenly changed and I had my first experience as a patient. I joked that I wanted to actually see first hand how the healthcare system works…but my smile was tentative and my apprehension surpassed my curiosity. Now, after being at the receiving end of medical care, I would like to ask my healthcare colleagues: 

Are you able - and willing - to better your care for the patient?

If you think you are doing just good, here are 3 arguments to make you reconsider your answer:

1. Your voice is my voice

The hospital culture is changing, but it’s still rife with staff intimidated by the brash, illusory power of hierarchy. Workers are still uncomfortable to speak up when it comes to patient safety, although tasks and communication are sometimes confusing, inappropriate, plain wrong, or the patient is placed at risk. If that is you, what holds you back?

This is what worked for me: thinking about the patient as myself, or a beloved family member. Changing your perspective will change your actions too, and will give you an honest voice. In a world where hierarchies fall apart and the patient is now part of the team (and not just placed at "the centre"), speaking up for patient’s safety is not an option, but a necessity, a mandate, an ethical duty. It is not a matter of ego, or righteousness, it is the simple, basic argument and the reason you chose such a noble profession. 

Make it your mantra: "My voice is your voice. Your voice is my voice".

2. You wouldn’t want YOUR surgeon to just "show up"

If you think you DO everything you can, or you DID everything in your power for the patient – think again. Are you tempted to blame your lack of action on everyone else, on the lack of time, or your managers? Holding leadership responsible for every issue is a dangerous perspective, and it is the modern equivalent of the "God is the answer to everything" perspective that held back our scientific understanding of the physical world in the Dark Ages.

It takes more than showing up at work; it takes discipline, courage and your undivided attention. We owe this to our patients and ultimately to ourselves. 

As brutally honest as it sounds, "I believe it’s an individual responsibility to help contribute to improving your work environment—and if you can’t, to leave and find a job elsewhere" (Arlene Dickinson).

3. Every journey starts with a step

You don’t need to necessarily do something huge, like an elaborate quality improvement project. But you can start simply by asking "why" or "why not?" to something that you still can’t grasp (and admit it, in the process). Or offer a pair of gloves to a physician who overlooks contact isolation precautions. Or encourage a student nurse who just reminded you the importance of the "basic" patient skills. Little things can be game changers when it comes to improving quality of care.

When a caregiver turns into a patient, the rules change. The positive things that I remember from my experience were seemingly unimportant things: a warm blanket, the smile of a nurse, a caring touch. Sometimes, that’s all it takes: a small, incremental, positive thing you can do effortlessly. The patient - and your soul - will thank you.

You already know inside that every time you choose to be present and give a voice to your patient, you can see yourself there, in that vulnerable place. And when you will be wearing that hospital gown, surrounded by strangers in an unfamiliar space, you would want to be safe. 

Make your patient’s safety your catharsis, your sincere voice, and your yearlong resolution; because sooner or later, we all become patients.