Podcast #179 - Kindness

Happy Holidays and if you are listening to this when it is published, Merry Christmas.  Last year for Podcast #127, on Christmas Day we reviewed the importance of family, friends, and colleagues.  This year we wanted to discuss the importance of kindness.

We know that rudeness can have a profound impact on our work and personal lives.  Scott Weingart interviewed Peter Brindley on this very issue.  There have been studies to help support how rudeness impacts medical team performance.  However, the role of kindness should not be understated.

Like rudeness, kindness is something we can control.  There are many positive benefits to kindness.  Our mood improves when we are positive to others and leads to a release of dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins.  Being kind can also lead to success in the workplace and decrease stress.  In medicine, we have a meaningful profession that has a profound impact on patient's lives.  However, how can we help spread kindness?

An article last year from Emergency Medicine News covered five recommendations:

1. Mood checks.  Be mindful of your mood and why you feel this way.  Have an escape strategy to negative moods.  A mantra can help and return you to your core values.
2. Sit down and be attentive.  Shifts get busy and we know that, but the little things we learned in school like sitting eye level with our patients can improve patient satisfaction. 
3. Provide empathy.  Our goal should be to understand what a patient is saying and feeling while expressing it back to them.  Having our patients know that we are listening and understand them has also improved patient satisfaction and even helped with decreasing thoughts of litigation.
4. Have an attitude of gratitude.  Remember to be thankful even on days that are challenging.
5. Be liberal with your praise.  Take the time to thank those around you for their work, even in their routine and daily tasks.  Praise is highly appreciated and often forgotten.  Your coworkers listen and they care.

As part of last year's BMJ Christmas edition, seven physicians were interviewed on small acts of kindness that changed their day.  It is worth checking.  This year's BMJ Christmas edition follows a similar theme about ways that work brings six physicians joy.  They can been inspiring and worth the short reads.

Your attitude has a profound impact on those around you.  Being kind with them will spread throughout the department.  If you are struggling though, this can be challenging.  This can be even harder for people during the Holidays.  Remember, there are always people out there who want to help you.  Never be afraid to reach out.  

If you need help and not sure who to turn to, reach out to the suicide prevention and mental health crisis lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or go to their online chat. 

The FCC is making 988 the national number in the near future, but it is not yet available.

We hope you have a blessed and safe Holiday season.  As Bill and Ted said, "Be excellent to each other."

Let us know what you think by giving us feedback here in the comments section or contacting us on Twitter or Facebook.  Remember to look us up on Libsyn and on iTunes.  If you have any questions you can also comment below, email at thetotalem@gmail.com, or send a message from the page.  We hope to talk to everyone again soon.  Until then, continue to provide total care everywhere.

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