A House of Love & Stethoscope Stories
A “House of Love” & “Stethoscope Stories” came up this week. Both of these ideas reminded me of why I went into medicine AND what I dream of for medicine.
The Vietnamese word for hospital is apparently translated as “a house of love.”
A hospital that is a house of love would be my dream for medicine.
What would happen in a house of love?
Tender loving care would be taken of everyone within - both those working and those receiving care.
What would love do would be a question asked frequently at meetings.
Love would be higher on the priority list than service (MPS or Press Gainey), access/appt availability, and quality. In fact, a house of love would likely not need these at all. Decisions made from love rather than protocol or fear would almost always lead to fabulous experiences and the highest quality.
In my humble opinion- LOVE is the perfect intention for a hospital.
Framing hospitals as “a house of love” would change the culture of medicine. The emphasis would be on common humanity, lessening human suffering, and healing. Burnout would likely not be a thing. There would be mindfulness, healthy, nourishing, and environmentally friendly food served. There would be music and windows.
My heart says that many of the healthcare money struggles wouldn't exist. They would melt away because when decisions are made from love rather than fear- unnecessary tests would happen much less often, hospice and end-of-life care would change dramatically – and likely for the better.
Healthcare leadership would also look different. It would be much more in line with my coaching advice to a new young female leader – a physician leader is a human caring for humans who are caring for humans. When we tap into our common humanity and lead with love and alignment we show up as the best leader we can be in the moment with the information and resources we have.
Stethoscope stories would also be a thing.
This week an old friend and colleague also shared the idea of “stethoscope stories.” They are all the stories in the hearts that your stethoscope has listened to over the years. Thousands of them.
Stethoscope stories embody what I loved about medicine - the beauty and art of it.
Where does this leave me tonight- as someone who has now pivoted away from using my stethoscope every day. Not regretful, not sad, not disappointed, and not angry.
It leaves me appreciative.
Appreciative of 22 years spent practicing medicine. Using my stethoscope to hear the stories (and the breath and heart sounds.)
And showing myself tender self-compassion for the journey. Acknowledging all that I gave and the love that I shared with the thousands upon thousands of families and children I cared for. Smiling at my stethoscope.
It also leaves me more committed than ever to supporting my colleagues in medicine, sharing mindful coaching tools and strategies, and helping to heal the healers through mindful yoga. My experience and wisdom in physician wellness and the tools that I am now able to share so readily are the paths to hospitals, and homes, being houses of love. They are the path to more health and lives filled with beautiful stethoscope stories.