Kim Downey’s Post

As medical professionals, we pour our hearts into our work every day. But sometimes, the challenges can feel overwhelming. It's in these moments that we must remember why we started. Our passion for helping others, our dedication to our craft, and our desire to make a difference - are the things that inspire us to keep going, even when the going gets tough. So, let's take a moment to reconnect with our 'why.' Let it inspire us to continue doing the great work we do. #BurnoutPrevention #MedicalWellnessCoach #HealthyHealer #PhysicianWellness #SelfCareforDocs #WellnessinMedicine #HealthyMedicine #MedicalBurnoutCoach #PreventingBurnout #PhysicianResilience #HealingHealthcare #HealthyHCP #PhysicianMentalHealth #MindfulMedicine

This is a cool art gallery to check out! Expressions of Clinician Well-Being collects insights directly from clinicians, patients, loved ones, and organizations working to prevent burnout and promote well-being. By allowing people to creatively express their experiences with burnout, this gallery captures critical moments in the journey to well-being. We hope this art will offer an entry point for conversations that can be difficult to have and shed light on the joys and challenges experienced by so many. We hope that the stories captured through this art will allow you to more fully understand why clinician well-being is so essential to the vitality of our health system. Clinician well-being is essential for everyone. It’s time to take care of those who take care of us. Let’s build a better system to help clinicians thrive. https://lnkd.in/eH9Rk7V9

Let's talk about Holistic Care...  What is it?  Simply put, it’s about an all-encompassing approach to patient care that combines physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual care. It’s very common that a person is more than their illness, so it’s about healing the whole person.  Why are people cautious about it? Many argue that it may divert from evidence-based medicine. However, many have contradicted the apprehension by saying that it enhances conventional treatments, offering a more rounded healing process.  Why we should be thinking more about it?  It’s no secret that the world we live in is fast-paced. Which means that holistic care is essential. It supports the idea that healing comes not just from medication, but from a supportive, empathetic care environment (your role as a nurse is to be empathetic, so you’re already practising certain elements of it). This helps to empower patients, recognising their individual healing journeys.  It seems to be quite the debate. Where do you stand on it? Comment below.  #holisticnursing #wholepersoncare #mindbodyspirit #patientcentredcare #healinghands

🎙️ We're delighted to bring you a replay of an insightful episode with Dr. Laura Fortner, a passionate advocate and coach for physicians dealing with medical malpractice and its emotional toll. Dr. Fortner shares her personal journey through a decade-long legal battle and the profound impact it had on her mental well-being. She discovered that the true suffering often stems from internal narratives and self-doubt. In this episode, we explore the culture of perfectionism in medicine, where physicians may struggle with feelings of inadequacy and fear of judgment. Dr. Fortner emphasizes the importance of self-care, resilience, and building a supportive community within the medical profession. She shares practical tools for combating burnout and advocates for systemic changes to foster compassion and empathy in healthcare. Key Takeaways:  -Perfectionism in medicine leads to fear of judgment and feelings of inadequacy. -Empowering physicians to reclaim joy and peace is crucial. -Self-care, resilience, and supportive communities are vital for physician wellness. -Advocacy for systemic changes and a compassionate healthcare culture is essential. Listen now! https://lnkd.in/g5ukGYKu Laura Fortner, MD #PhysicianWellness #MedicalMalpractice #HealthcareAdvocacy #BurnoutPrevention #MentalHealthAwareness #TheMentalHealthandWellnessShow #hwspodcast 🎧

𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗔 𝟲𝟯 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗲 nervously clutched the worn blanket, beeping machines around her, the cause of her fear. As the young doctor entered, she flinched, memories of hospital visits flooding back. But the Doctor's gentle smile and warm eyes offered a different story. He sat, not at the end of the bed, but next to her, asking not just about symptoms, but about her life in general, her fears, and hopes. At that moment, the doctor wasn't just treating an illness; he was treating the person as a whole. This wasn't just his job, it was his calling, rooted in the deep compassion that flows through our society and healthcare system. His empathy allowed him to understand the old lady's anxiety, his respect calmed her nerves, and his genuine care offered comfort. This story isn't unique. 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀  𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗿𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. Their compassion isn't just a warm feeling; it's a powerful tool. It leads to: ✓ 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝘅𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. ✓ 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁-𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀. ✓ 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀. ✓𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀. While boosting revenue might seem like a distant benefit, the foundation lies in the human connection. When patients feel valued and cared for, it brings loyalty and trust, potentially leading to a healthier, happier community that relies on the expertise offered by a compassionate healthcare system. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀? 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝘆: ✓ 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲, ✓ 𝗔𝗰𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, ✓ 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 ✓ 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. Because ultimately, compassion isn't just a skill; it's a journey to create a world where humanity, not just medicine, heals. #compassionatecare #healthcarecommunications #healthcare #holistichealthcare #patientcentricity #qualitycare

Struggling to make deeper connections with your patients? Here's a simple yet powerful tip: be present. In the rush of healthcare, it's easy to miss what truly matters – understanding your patients. But taking a moment to listen, to really hear their concerns and feelings, can lead to better diagnoses and treatment outcomes. Active listening involves more than just hearing words; it's about empathy, non-verbal cues, and reflecting what you hear. It creates a safe space for patients to share, be heard, and understood. Discover the transformative potential of active listening in healthcare in our latest blog post. Link below. 👇 Ready to enhance patient care through better communication? Start by being present. #EmotionalIntelligence #PatientCare #TeamCollaboration #MedicineMatters #Mindset2Flow #Doctors #HealthcareHeroes #LeadershipCoaching #PhysicianBurnout #PhysicianCoach #PhysicianLeadership

This article highlights some of the reasons people are reluctant to avoid medical care—including cost and access challenges—and how relatives and friends can provide the right encouragement.    Of course, not everyone has a loved one in their life who can serve in this role—making the role that local, trusted Community-Based Organizations play even more important.   #SDoH #SocialDeterminantsofHealth #lonelinessepidemic #communityengagement

At Whole Hearted Medicine, we believe that the essence of well-being and growth lies within the power of community. Here's why community is not just a part of what we do; it's at the heart of everything we do: Shared Experiences, Shared Strength: In our community, doctors come together, sharing their journeys, challenges, and victories. This collective experience fosters a sense of belonging and mutual understanding that's pivotal for emotional support and resilience. Collective wisdom: Every member brings unique insights and wisdom. By pooling our knowledge and experiences, we create a richness of learning and growth opportunities for each other. Empathy and support: In the demanding world of healthcare, empathy can sometimes take a back seat. Our community prioritises understanding and supporting each other, reminding us of the human element in healthcare. A safe space for vulnerability: Healing and growth often require vulnerability. Our community provides a safe, non-judgmental space where doctors can open up, share their struggles, and find compassionate guidance. Inspiration and motivation: Seeing peers navigate similar paths, overcome obstacles, and achieve goals serves as a powerful source of inspiration and motivation. Collective advocacy: Together, we have a stronger voice. We can advocate for changes in the healthcare system, emphasising the importance of doctor well-being and patient care. Our community is a haven where doctors can rediscover their passion for medicine, find balance, and nurture their well-being. How has being part of a community impacted your professional journey? #WholeheartedMedicine #wellnessretreatau #retreatsfordoctors #selfcareretreats

Happy Wellness Wednesday! Today, we are excited to share insights from our therapists on the importance of a patient-centered approach in physical therapy. Key Elements of Patient-Centered Care: 1. Active Listening: Our therapists emphasize the importance of taking time to listen actively to patients’ concerns, goals, and lifestyles. This helps to tailor treatments to fit each patient’s unique needs. 2. Individualized Treatment Plans: We believe no two patients are the same, and their treatment shouldn’t be either. Each plan is designed to align with the specific goals and medical history of the patient. 3. Education and Empowerment: Empowering patients with knowledge about their condition and involving them in their treatment plan is essential. We provide education on exercises and self-care strategies, ensuring patients feel confident in managing their health. 4. Compassion and Support: Building a trusting relationship through compassion and support is fundamental. We strive to create a supportive environment where patients feel comfortable discussing their concerns and progress. Thank you to our amazing therapists for their commitment to providing exceptional care and making a difference in our patients’ lives. Have questions or experiences to share? Drop them in the comments below! #WellnessWednesday #PatientCare #PhysicalTherapy #PatientCenteredCare

Think your GP's just for sniffles and check-ups? Think again! Family doctors like Dr. Cherie Salisbury are unsung heroes in the healthcare saga, showcasing remarkable versatility and dedication. From diagnosing diverse ailments before noon to tackling women's health, Dr. Salisbury of Novant Health Primary Care NoDa epitomizes the essence of family medicine - a holistic, all-encompassing approach that puts patients first. As our frontline warriors, they're not just prescribing meds; they're empowering us with knowledge and choices for a healthier life. They bridge the gaps to specialty care but will spare no effort in addressing whatever they can in-house. Dr. Salisbury's mantra, "If I can treat it, I will" - is a testament to the commitment these physicians have to our wellbeing. And with mental health soaring on priority lists, family docs are stepping into roles once reserved for specialists, because no one should have to navigate such challenges alone. Commendably, our family physicians also wear the educator hat, boosting health literacy and navigating patient skepticism with unfathomable empathy. Who needs an Internet search when your GP can be your guide in the complex world of healthcare? So next time you visit your family doctor, remember you're witnessing a healthcare superhero in action! 🌟 #FamilyDoctor #HealthcareHero #HolisticHealthcare