I have been reading lately.
Truthfully, I read all the time. I am rarely without a book. But recently it appears there are more interesting books on the shelf. Are the books more interesting, or am I more interested? I have been working on new projects of late and my curiosity is high.
I have been moved by a recent book called “Attending” by Ronald Epstein, M.D. The title refers to the role of an attending physician in the care of patients,
and leadership of other clinical staff. But the author sees the word more expansively:
“Attending means showing up, being present, listening, and accompanying patients when it matters most. Attending is also a moral imperative: by being attentive, doctors not only provide the best care, they also honor each patient’s humanity”
Attending has to do with where our attention is. It requires curiosity, “a realization that there is always more.” In dentistry we attend on several levels. We pay attention to clinical challenges, to the patient’s experience, and to our own state of mind.
- Clinical Challenges have to do with diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Epstein cautions “being too certain ¾ never being in doubt ¾ paradoxically results in lower quality of care through overtesting, premature conclusions, and tunnel vision.” True masters avoid the temptation to go too quickly to what seems like an obvious answer. Staying curious allows a more complete picture to emerge which leads to better long-term results.
- The Patient’s Experience has to do with what they think, and how they feel about dentistry and our practice. Dr. Bob Barkley wrote, “A patient may be so conditioned by a lifetime of unsatisfactory dental experiences or incorrect thinking relative to dentistry that he has difficulty discovering his deepest concerns for dental health.” How they think about their conditions, their options, and their relationship with clinicians is rarely front and center in their communication. When we attend to patients we observe and listen for clues that will help us help them make healthy choices. (Click here for how you can learn more about attending to patients.)
- Our State of Mind has to do with how we pay attention. It speaks to our mindset, as well as our experience, knowledge, intuition, and presence ¾ to how we show up. If you’ve read this far you may be thinking that you know you should listen to your patients, to serve them well, but have you thought about how mindfulness can also serve you well? Research shows that “Curiosity is associated with release of the neurotransmitter dopamine, activating intrinsic reward circuits in the brain.” Curiosity can be fun!Dr. Epstein writes:
“. . . Medical practitioners who are more curious feel a greater sense of vividness and vitality. They are more satisfied with their work, more engaged with their patients, and do a better job of treating illnesses. “
Becoming more mindful applies not only to curiosity about your patients, but about yourself as well. How aware are you of your own thoughts and feelings? How tuned in are you to signals from your body that you are losing your sense of discernment, your ability to make appropriate judgements? Do you experience a tugging in your gut? Or in your shoulders? Does your breathing change, or your tone of voice?
We all have triggers in our lives that can hijack our resourcefulness. Recognizing how you experience those triggers can allow you to think more clearly and perform more effectively.
Consider too how intentional you are you about doing more of what brings you joy and fulfillment. A deep understanding about what you find rewarding in your work allows you to consciously prioritize your days to include more and more of those opportunities. But you can also look for and experience joy in some of the most mundane tasks. I once knew a young woman who owned an ice cream stand and instilled in her employees a sense of joy over providing their customers with what could be the only pleasure they experienced that day!
How often might you be making a difference in someone’s life by a mere touch on the shoulder or brief word of encouragement. How often have you missed an opportunity to experience gratitude in your practice? When you learn to look for those moments and allow yourself to savor them all your work becomes more rewarding.
Raising your awareness about your experience of emotions allows you to choose how to bring yourself to your work and your relationships, rather than being at their mercy.
Attending to your work, your patients, and yourself is a gift.
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