Healthcare professionals must be perceived as caring

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http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/323/7317/869/b

 

BMJ 2001;323:869 ( 13 October )

Letters

Healthcare professionals must be perceived as caring

EDITOR---Kelley and Tucci outline several simple, well thought out, aspects to improving the experience of quality of care for patients in the light of a North American report.1

What is crucial to a perception of improved quality in the NHS is reinforcement of the perception by patients that healthcare professionals at all levels actually "care" for them individually. This can engender forgiveness for slight delays or minor discomforts and appreciably aid the healing process. It is not a substitute for quality, but it is a very important addition. All the mechanistic changes necessary to ensure a robust clinical governance process in NHS trusts must be seen to complement the best human attributes of all staff that work in the NHS, not demoralise them. To care is human.

Paul Buss, consultant paediatrician. 
Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, Gwent NP9 2UB pbuss@doctors.org.uk


1.

Kelley MA, Tucci JM. Bridging the quality chasm. BMJ 2001; 323: 61-62[Full Text]. (14 July.)

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