Takeaway
Healthcare professionals can do more than treat injuries; they can help prevent them. Educate patients and their loved ones about safety gear, share real-life stories, and empower people to make wise choices.
Lifelong Learning in Clinical Excellence | November 14, 2024 | 3 min read
By James Harris Jr., MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine
On Black Friday of 2013, I was in the operating room, focused on a laparoscopic procedure with my colleague, when the unexpected happened: shortly after it was completed, my phone rang. It was my wife, Rosina, and her voice was filled with terror. “Something happened to Marcus! He’s lying in the street, and he’s not moving!”
The words hit like a punch to the gut. My son Marcus, a fun-loving, adventurous teen, had fallen off his skateboard, hit his head, and was unconscious. Within minutes, I went from performing surgery to rushing across town, praying for my son’s life.
The life-altering moment
As a father, it was a nightmare come true. The diagnosis was a subdural hematoma on one side and an epidural hematoma on the other, a severe brain injury, requiring immediate surgery to save his life.
He was lucky to survive, but the road to recovery was long and painful. For me, that day was a lesson in the importance of prevention, especially when it comes to wearing a helmet. Marcus had always been a risk-taker. We’d lectured him on the dangers of skateboarding without protective gear, but like many teenagers, he believed he was invincible. It wasn’t the first time I’d worried about his safety, but after the accident, I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d failed him by not being more insistent about helmet use. If only he had worn one that day, the outcome might have been so different.
Teaching prevention with compassion
As clinicians, we spend much of our time treating injuries, but we also have an opportunity to prevent them—especially those that can be avoided with simple steps like wearing a helmet. My personal experience with Marcus has shaped how I approach patient care. It’s not just about telling patients what they should do; it’s about connecting with them, helping them understand the risks, and making sure they feel empowered to take action.
When I work with patients—whether they’re children, adults, or parents—I emphasize the importance of safety gear. But beyond the facts, I share stories. Stories like my own, about a family that had to grapple with the life-changing consequences of an injury. We can’t just preach prevention; we need to communicate it in a way that resonates emotionally, helping our patients see themselves in the same situation.
Practical tips for clinicians
Here are a few practical ways we can encourage helmet use and other safety measures:
1. Make it personal.
Share your own experiences or those of others to show the real-life consequences of not wearing helmets. Patients are more likely to follow advice when they can relate to the person giving it.
2. Create a conversation.
Don’t just quickly give advice. Take time to ask about your patients’ activities, whether they ride bikes, skateboards, or motorcycles. It’s an opportunity to educate them about injury prevention and to discuss the importance of helmets.
3. Involve families, loved ones, and caregivers.
This is especially true when working with children or teenagers. Having their support can encourage compliance, and they may also benefit from understanding the risks involved.
4. Be empathetic.
Understand that many patients, particularly teens, may see themselves as invincible. Approach the conversation with compassion and help them see the potential long-term impact of an injury on their lives, rather than focusing solely on the risks.
5. Make helmets accessible.
Encourage patients to invest in helmets that fit well and are comfortable, and make sure they know where to get them. Sometimes, simply having access to the right gear can make all the difference in whether or not someone wears it.
A call for care
Marcus’ injury has taught me more than I ever wanted to know about brain trauma, but it has also given me a deeper understanding of the impact that prevention can have. Every patient we encounter has the potential to avoid a life-altering injury simply by making a few small changes in their behavior. As healthcare professionals, it’s our responsibility to guide them—patiently, compassionately, and with the wisdom that comes from personal experience. We have the power to make a difference before the accident happens.
This piece expresses the views solely of the author. It does not necessarily represent the views of any organization, including Johns Hopkins Medicine.