Events

On Demand: The Science of GRACE

When
1/8/2020

Program


Wednesday, 08 January 2020

Description
The purpose of the GRACE program is to help healthcare professionals learn and practice basic skills in how to recognize and develop things like gratitude, self-compassion, mindfulness, and empathy within themselves, and by extension, with their patients. These skills are important not only for providing compassionate care to people experiencing significant health challenges, but also to help buffer healthcare providers from experiencing burnout and caregiver fatigue. At Tucson Medical Center, GRACE training was provided to three clinical units. The program had three main goals: increase patient satisfaction scores, increase employee satisfaction, and increase grateful patient and family referrals to the foundation. Of these three goals, all were met with measurable outcomes. Research on the program is being submitted for publication to the Journal of Healthcare Management, which is published by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). During training, participants were guided through a series of exercises utilizing meditation techniques and tools to activate gratitude, compassion, and empathy. After training, participants were encouraged to engage in a month of GRACE which included a daily journal and access to a playlist of guided meditations. Then participants attended a reflection session where they debriefed on their month of home practice, shared their experiences, and participated in an additional dose of GRACE. Surveys were provided throughout the program to track changes in behavior. When healthcare providers are better attuned to their own gratitude and self-compassion, this can create natural connections and pathways to be more attuned with their patients’ micro and macro-expressions of gratitude and appreciation for the care they have received. Such attunement can help create an environment for grateful patients to feel empowered to take action through prosocial behaviors, such as volunteering, offering kind words to staff or other patients, or even paying it forward to future patients.
Category
WEBIN
Time
12:00 PM - 12:00 PM
1/8/2020 12:00 PM

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