Compassionate Care in Nursing and the Importance of Human Presence with Marcus Engel – Episode #1

Compassionate care is what nursing is all about. It’s why most of us got into nursing in the first place - to compassionately help human beings who are experiencing some of the most horrific sufferings they’ll ever experience. I’m Brian Weirich and this is the first episode of The Report Room podcast. TRR is an opportunity for you to hear the stories of patients, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who are dedicated to providing compassionate care to the people who come through the emergency rooms, hospitals, and care facilities where we work. I wanted to start out the show with a conversation with a guy who knows it from the other side of the stethoscope - as a patient. Today you’re going to hear the incredible story of Marcus Engel who suffered a terrible accident as a college student and has transformed that potentially paralyzing event into a source of hope for many. I hope you enjoy his inaugural episode. Human presence is one of the biggest parts of compassionate care. Today’s episode of The Report Room tells the story of how one 20-year-old patient care technician, or nurses aid, saw one man through the most terrifying day of his life simply by being present and letting him know that she was there. Jenny’s compassionate care for Marcus when he was suffering the loss of his sight and the pain of every bone in his face being broken was what got him through the most difficult moments. Marcus’ story is powerful and you can hear it from the beginning on this episode. Nurses need to put themselves in the patient’s shoes more often. Nursing care that is effective is care that is focused on helping the patient where they are at in the moment of their need. Patients often experience the greatest amounts of fear, panic, and confusion they will ever experience when they are in our care. My hope is that conversations like this one with Marcus Engel equip you to be a better caregiver and medical professional from the perspective of those you are caring for. If you want to hear what it’s like from the other side of the stethoscope, Marcus shares his story and the insights it’s provided about compassionate care on this episode. As a nurse, you can clear up your patient’s confusion in simple ways. We live every day in the midst of medical acronyms and jargon so they are simple for us to understand. But our patients are easily overwhelmed and confused by the medical world. Part of our jobs as nurses is to alleviate their fears and give them confidence in the care they receive. You can do that by making sure your patients know the titles of the people who are coming into their rooms, that they are able to comprehend the medical jargon on a basic level, and that the staff members who are caring for them are top notch. If you feel a bit intimidated about how you are to do all that, this episode will prove very helpful to you, so be sure you listen. If you make a promise to a patient, it’s your job to ensure it’s kept. The patients you treat every day as a nurse often have nothing to do but lie in bed and worry about their health and the care they receive. That puts them in a place where they can be especially sensitive to the things you say to them. So be aware of the promises you make regarding their care. Don’t give deadlines or set expectations that may not be met. Help your patients be confident in you and your medical team by setting realistic expectations and seeing that what you do promise is actually done. It’s another way your compassionate care as a nurse can benefit the people who are under your care. Outline of this great episode [0:27] My introduction of today’s guest: Marcus Engel. [1:41] The night Marcus’ life changed forever. [2:55] Marcus’ previous experiences in the medical fields. [4:30] The impact a patient care tech had on Marcus’ life. [8:15] Reuniting with the person who had such powerful impact on him that night. [9:56] The A.I.D.E.T. - and the concept of managing up. [13:37] The importance of stating your title, not your task. [15:55] Respecting the patient’s time and manage their expectations. [17:40] Why patients need better explanations of what’s going on with their health. [21:39] Key takeaways from Marcus’ book “The Other End of the Stethoscope.” [29:02] How Marcus would spend a check from a big donor to a hospital. [30:59] The advice Marcus would give to student or new nurses. [33:37] How you can connect with Marcus. Resources & Links mentioned in this episode www.MarcusEngel.com and www.ImHereMovement.org   BOOK: I’m Here BOOK: The Other End of the Stethoscope Connect with Brian Twitter @BrianWeirichRN BrianWeirichRN@gmail(dot)com