The light inside
shifting seasons, birthday month, person-centred health care, cardboard heroes podcast
We have just passed the halfway point between solstice and equinox. Have you felt the seasons shifting around and within you? I’ve noticed a blooming and sprouting in our neighbourhood. The birds are singing more sweetly in the early mornings. The sunlight is lingering longer in the evenings. My energy is rising each day. And also I feel pulled to sleep in late and go to bed early.
Sometimes the transition out of deep winter is harder than the season itself. Am I on or off? Am I retreating or socialising? Am I wearing a winter coat or a sun hat? When I feel pulled in both directions like this, I remind myself to pause. It’s ok to take two steps forward, one step back. Or just stand still for a moment. I remember the things that steady me when things are unpredictable… walking, drinking enough water, regular meal times and bed times, long hugs and warm blankets.
The quickening of early spring is also my birthday season. This year, I celebrated by immersing in as much colour and art as I could. I love to be inspired and uplifted by new ideas and creative ways as I emerge into a new year. To rekindle the light inside.
Immersing in art at The Lume and NGV
I’ve been spending a lot of time considering my work lately. What is the role of a health care provider in our community? What is the difference between helping, fixing or serving someone in need? How can I provide care that is more human/ person-centred, and less clinical/ practitioner-centred? What happens to my skills and expertise from this perspective? Can I share my wisdom and remain open to each person’s unique situation and autonomy?
These thoughts are not new - psychiatrist George Engel wrote about the need to approach patients more holistically in the 1970s. He created a new medical model called the Biopsychosocial Model that included the biological, psychological and social dimensions of a person's life and the perception that a person suffers as a whole, not as isolated organs.
And person-centred care is currently recognised as the foundation of safe, high-quality health care according to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. They define it as “care that respects and responds to the preferences, needs and values of patients and consumers”.
What’s wrong with osteopathy?, an article written earlier this year, provoked a lot of this healthy reflection and thinking for me. And I’ve been exploring some of these deeper, meaning-of-life type questions in podcast conversations over the last few months. The most recent was with my friend Eddy, whose podcast, Cardboard Heroes, asks how people find their passion in work and what makes a meaningful career. You can listen to our conversation here.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about person-centred care. I believe there is so much value in shared perspectives and deep listening. These are some of our greatest skills as health care providers (and caring humans); above and beyond our clinical treatments or advice.
I’ve been using these phrases to guide me (from the book Standing at the Edge by Joan Halifax):
I’m taking a short break with my husband and daughter from 18-26 August (I’ll share more about this in my next letter). Be aware I may be slow to respond to calls and emails until late August.
Much love,
Emily
