From time-to-time, as we find useful and empowering books filled with advice for living a happier life -- in this case, making the case for more compassion in healthcare -- we will share them with you.
Reviewed by Randall Hansen, Ph.D.
One simple change in all of us could have a MAJOR impact on the physical and psychological health of the world!
Is compassion the wonder "drug" the authors suggest? The book provides some strong evidence in building the case for the power of compassion.
While the authors of Compassionomics make the case for more compassion in healthcare, that model could extend to every person, every industry, every situation.
Compassion heals.. and caring makes a HUGE difference (for ourselves... and others).
The authors define empathy as the feeling -- and compassion as the action as a result of empathy. In order to act with compassion, we must first feel empathy.
The book sets the stage with discussion of research that shows more Americans are "becoming significantly more self-focused and less other-focused."
Amazingly, the authors share a Pew Research Center that found that one-third of Americans do not consider compassion for others to be among their "core values."
Finally, the book makes the case for the healthcare profession to ramp up the focus and importance of empathy and compassionate actions among everyone who interacts with patients.
Gathering previous research throughout the medical literature, the authors share the proven benefits of compassion.
That said, the authors make the case for helping medical personnel deal with burnout (which perhaps is partly a result of the trauma they face)... and doing so with compassion; the book makes the case for healthcare management to change practices to better support ALL healthcare professionals -- which will then result in better care for patients.
Perhaps the one missing element here is HOW health management can support healthcare professionals with their self-care... perhaps with empathy workshops/courses? Perhaps also offering healing sessions for all -- including, perhaps, EMDR, DBT, meditation, breathwork.
Finally, if you ever doubted the need for empathy and compassion, this work will set you straight. Compassion is a no-cost, minimal time commitment practice with massive benefits.
Best statistic in the book: "Forty seconds of compassion can save a life."
Dr. Randall S. Hansen is an educator, author, and advocate, as well as founder and CEO of
EmpoweringSites.com,
a network of empowering and transformative Websites, including EmpoweringAdvice.com.
Dr. Hansen's latest book, Triumph Over Trauma, is available in paperback and ebook versions.
Dr. Hansen has been helping empower people to achieving success his entire adult life.
He is also founder of EnhanceMyVocabulary.com,
MyCollegeSuccessStory.com, and
EmpoweringRetreat.com.
He is a published author, with several books, chapters in books, and hundreds
of articles. Dr. Hansen is also an educator, teaching business
and marketing at the college level for more than 25 years. Learn more by visiting his personal Website,
RandallSHansen.com. You can also check out
Dr. Randall Hansen on LinkedIn.
