In this episode, E. Wes Ely, MD, MPH, discusses the value of human connection with patients, reflects on the values of hope and mercy in patient care, and reads key excerpts from his book, Every Deep-Drawn Breath.

• Intro :01
• About Ely :21
• About Every Deep-Drawn Breath :49
• The interview 1:20
• Impact of Ely’s work 1:37
• Tell me a bit about your background. Where did this all start? 5:32
• Do you think if you spend enough time and cater deeply enough, you can create that human connection? 9:24
• The other side of the bed 15:00
• The story of Jimmy Johnson 29:49
• Bringing back normalcy in the ICU for patient healing 35:11
• How do you bring hope during this dark period? 40:20
• Spirituality in patient care 44:57
• Significance of Every Deep-Drawn Breath 51:03
• Thank you, Dr. Ely 53:50

Wes Ely, MD, MPH, is professor of medicine and critical care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and associate director of aging research at VA Tennessee Valley Geriatric Research and Education Clinical Center.

We’d love to hear from you! Send your comments/questions to Dr. Bhardwaj at [email protected]. Follow us on Twitter @HealioPulm @abhi_bhardwaj99. You can reach Dr. Ely on Twitter @WesElyMD.

Disclosures: Bhardwaj reports no relevant financial disclosures. Ely is author of Every Deep-Drawn Breath.