2016 Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) National Solidarity Week for Compassionate Patient Care

MIMEH believes in the importance of collaborating with other organizations who are furthering the goals of respecting the dignity of each individual patient and improving the physician-patient relationship in healthcare.  Dr. Lynn White, Director of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, is our guest blogger this week. Her post highlights the upcoming Arnold P. Gold Foundation's 2016 GHHS National Solidarity Week for Compassionate Patient Care.

Come join us as we celebrate 2016 GHHS National Solidarity Week for Compassionate Patient Care from Monday, February 15 through Friday, February 19.  Be a part of the movement that reminds people that every patient/healthcare provider interaction should be filled with mutual caring, compassion, and respect.

National Solidarity Week and Gold Humanism Honor Society are programs of the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, whose goal is to promote the importance of compassionate, patient-centered care. In 2002, GHHS was created by the Foundation to identify and activate medical students, residents, fellows, practicing physicians, and other members of the community to serve as role models and leaders of humanistic care.  Now with 150 chapters and over 24,000 members, GHHS is working to make the medical environment one that is supportive and positive for both patients and healthcare providers alike.  GHHS National Solidarity Week for Compassionate Patient Care showcases this effort.

During 2016 National Solidarity Week, participating healthcare institutions will implement a variety of activities to highlight kindness in patient care.  Some will invite patients and staff to create cards, videos, and posters that are displayed.  Others will distribute gifts to members of the healthcare team acknolwedging their caring efforts.  Many will participate in the signature program of the Arnold P. Gold Foundation called "Tell Me More."  This program invites interviewers to ask patients three simple questions:

     1. What do you think are your greatest strengths?
     2. How would friends and family describe you?
     3. What has been most meaningful to you in your life?

The answers are written on a "Tell Me More" wall sticker that is displayed in patient rooms.  The "Tell Me More" program gives patients a personal voice and enables the healthcare team to see each patient as an indivdiual and not simply as a diagnosis.  The Gold Foundation is currently studying the impact of "Tell Me More" and plans to expand this easily implemented and inexpensive program in a variety of healthcare facilities throughout the country. 

The GHHS national office is delighted to support any institution that wishes to participate in GHHS National Solidarity Week for Compassionate Patient Care.  Please join us!  Actiites can be imaginative and varied, and many groups partner with local health care institutions.  For more information, please visit:http://humanism-in-medicine.org/ghhs/national-conferences-events/ghhs-solidarity-day/ or contact Michele Silver at michele@gold-foundation.org.

Post written by Dr. Lynn White- Director, Gold Humanism Honor Society

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