Takeaway
Sharing parts of your identity, for example being a parent, may help you to connect with patients on a deeper level. Shared humanity can create a deeper relationship, which is essential for trust and service.
Connecting with Patients | March 13, 2025 | 1 min read
By Jessica Park, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine
Last year, I had the privilege of caring for a 30-year-old woman presenting with pain. She was suffering from an acute flare of chronic pain stemming from gunshot wounds years ago. In our first encounter, she cried while discussing how pain had taken over her life from the moment the bullets hit her. She felt she’d lost her true self through this experience that she didn’t choose. However, she smiled when she talked about her son who lifted her spirits during through this challenging time. He’d recently asked when she would be coming home from the hospital to read favorite bedtime stories together. My heart ached. I held her hands and commended her for the enormous strength she displayed.
Hardships come in different shapes. I reminisced about my internal medicine residency training during which I became a mother. While training to become a better doctor for patients, I experienced many changes in my body postpartum and struggled with sleepless nights with a newborn. Despite being physically and mentally exhausted, I found I was able to connect with patients better. I could hear what mattered to them the most and formed valuable partnerships in a way that positively impacted their health. I became a better listener with my growing patience due to motherhood.
As I return to work from my maternity leave, I often think of this patient and the mothers I’ve had the privilege of treating. Mothers have the strength to carry on in the face of the most daunting hardships. Becoming a mother has made me more empathetic and understanding toward patients with diverse life stories. Each day, I feel empowered to wear two hats: a mother to two beautiful children and a physician who heals others.
I encourage fellow healthcare professionals to do the following:
1. Listen closely.
Patients have unique stories to tell. Listen to them.
2. Be proud of your own identity and share it with patients if you feel comfortable.
Your identity can be a powerful way to connect with patients.
This piece expresses the views solely of the author. It does not necessarily represent the views of any organization, including Johns Hopkins Medicine.