Putting the “Care” Back Into “Healthcare”

Nov 19

One of our field’s most inspiring individuals was a physician by the name of Dr. Francis Peabody. It’s probably safe to assume that his name is nowhere near as familiar to the general public as, say, Albert Schweitzer, Florence Nightingale, Jonas Salk (if even those are familiar to most people these days!) or, for sure, Dr. Oz. Although he did not pioneer any great medical breakthroughs or miracle cures, Francis Peabody left an indelible mark on our profession all because of a lecture he gave 94 years ago to the students at Harvard Medical School on October 21st, 1926. Right before addressing the audience, he told his wife, “I am absolutely sure that this little lecture will be remembered long after anything of a scientific nature I have written has been forgotten.” Call it a premonition or even divine inspiration but his words were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and ultimately in book form as “The Care of the Patient.” Students here at Beacon 360 are undoubtedly familiar with this book as it is not only a crucial part of our curriculum, but also in those of medical schools across the country – the reason being that Dr. Peabody’s thoughts are timeless.

The book’s relatively dry and clinical-sounding title, though, actually belies its deeper meaning. Dr. Peabody was an exponent for an approach that even back in his day was not being practiced; a commitment to being personally invested in the care of each patient, treating them as individuals and not merely cases to be processed, as if on an assembly line. I recently spoke with an intern at a local hospital that’s part of a large hospital network. Only two months into her residency and already she feels crushed under the weight of an overloaded patient list, as well as having to deal with angry superiors and a frustrating bureaucracy. Worst of all is a realization that the hope she would be on the road to career fulfillment in a “noble profession has only led her to disillusionment at being nothing more than a “factory worker,” stuck in a job amounting to nothing more than an Excel spreadsheet-dominated, financially motivated industry. In the face of these tremendous challenges, how are we to maintain our focus and renew our passion for doing God’s work as healers?

“We care because He first cared for us” - 1 Peter 5:7

Even in the most challenging of times, we must not lose sight of these, the apostle Peter’s words. Along with our insight and talents as caregivers, our compassion, humanity and empathy are God-given. Each day we must dedicate ourselves to changing the culture of medicine from an emphasis on dollars, cents and statistics back to people by remembering that the core of our profession is caring. Physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. Even while suffering from terminal cancer at the age of 46, Peabody dedicated his last ounce of strength to record the effects of morphine so as to ease the suffering of others afflicted with the disease. His selflessness and sense of devotion to his fellow man, even in the face of death, is truly an inspiration and a reminder that, as caregivers, it’s incumbent upon each of us to put the “care” back into “healthcare.” As Dr. Peabody wrote, in the very last sentence of his work:

“One of the essential qualities of the clinician is interest in humanity, for the secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient.”