Radical listening book
Jun 30, 2018,03:27pm EDT| I Went To A Retreat About Radical Listening And This Is What I LearnedLipi Roy, MD, MPH ContributorOpinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Healthcare I write about medicine, addiction, social justice...& some COVID-19. This article is more than 3 years old. When I stepped off the bus, I was initially startled by the peace and tranquility. Five hours earlier, I had been squeezing past baby strollers and bewildered tourists scanning large Times Square fold-out maps at New York Citys Port Authority Bus Terminal the largest and busiest bus depot in the United States. From bawling babies and squabbling squatters, the chaos and commotion had clogged up my pores and deadened my senses. Show
By contrast, my destination in a secluded part of western Massachusetts could not have been more differentor idyllic. Walking down a rolling hill, I noticed Canadian geese drifting lazily above a serenely still lake. My tense facial muscles softened at the sight of hiking trails and meditation gardens. In the midst of this serene landscape was the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, named after Swami Kripalu and devoted to mindful practice. And it is here where I decided to leave work and pandemonium! behind for four days in order to learn about radical listening. Months ago, I had learned about a workshop, Radical Listening for Healers, taught by faculty from Columbias Narrative Medicine program. The latter describes radical listening as a first step toward healing the destructive divides that afflict our country. This intensive workshop brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds: healthcare, psychology, politics, literature and social justice. So, what does any of this have to do with medicine? Turns out that the MOST critical skill taught on Day 1 of medical school is NOT pathology or pharmacology. Its listening. In fact, seasoned attending physicians frequently remind medical students: If you obtain a thorough history, the patient has already given you the diagnosis. Sure, we can fill in the gaps with a physical exam and diagnostic tests (labs, imaging). But if we truly listened, by being fully present, then the diagnosis has already been revealed. And yet in spite this KEY message about listening, upon their first meeting, doctors interrupt the patient in the first *15* seconds. When I asked Dr. Rita Charon, founder of Columbias Narrative Medicine program, why this workshop was so important now, she said, Because health care has veered away from the patient. By teaching doctors and nurses and social workers sophisticated ways to bring attention to patients experiences of health and illness, medicine centers its care on what really matterseach patients singular and complex life. Im also aware that doctors often dont take good care of their health. Burnout rates are at record rates: high levels of substance use, anxiety, divorce and lack of job satisfaction. Suicide, particularly among female doctors, has been alarming: in the past two months in New York City alone, a 4th-year medical student and a resident physician both female died by suicide. A sense of isolation and despair is often associated with suicide, among all professionals, as sadly evidenced by the recent suicides of fashion mogul, Kate Spade, and celebrity chef, Anthony Bourdain. I experienced so many profound learning moments during the retreat. Let me share five lessons that most resonated with me:
Suffice to say, my fellow participants and new friends were also deeply moved by this workshop. Some testimonials: Gregory Goodale, JD, PhD, a political communications professor: How do I navigate conversations among students who share VERY opposing views? I learned that creative arts can cement storytelling. Im going to take this back to my students. Kate Kennedy, manager of healthcare marketing strategy: This workshop provided a powerful opportunity to slow down from everyday activities and stresses, and learn to truly focus on being open and curious and connect with people. But not all is ideal. As one participant noted, coming here is a privilege that many of my clients cannot afford. The financial costs registration, accommodations, travel are not insignificant (ranging from several hundreds to over a thousand dollars). Time off from professional and personal responsibilities is also a luxury few can afford. By the end of the workshop, it became quite clear that the things I learned transcended clinical medicine. I am confident that these tools will enhance my relationships with my relatives (including a homophobic cousin); help me recognize gender bias; and navigate todays contentious political discourse. Replacing judgement with curiosity is a good starting point. Get the best of Forbesto your inbox with the latest insights from experts across the globe. Follow me onTwitterorLinkedIn.Check outmywebsite.Lipi Roy, MD, MPH I'm an internal medicine physician board certified in addiction medicine, speaker, writer and MSNBC and NBC News Medical Contributor. I'm also the Medical Director for COVID Isolation and Quarantine Sites for Housing Works in New York City. In addition, I serve as clinical assistant professor at NYU Langone Health. Previously, I served as Chief of Addiction Medicine for NYC jails including Rikers Island, overseeing substance use treatment and recovery services at the nation's second-largest jail. Prior to moving to New York, I was a primary care doctor to Boston's vulnerable homeless population among whom the leading cause of death was drug overdose. I also served as an attending physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and faculty at Harvard Medical School where I taught Clinical Nutrition and The Healer's Art. Featured on CNN, The Tamron Hall Show, Dr. Oz and Charlie Rose, I am a sought-after, charismatic speaker and media personality who has been published in the Huffington Post, STAT News and KevinMD.com, and featured in the Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, Cooking Light and Oprah.com. My mission is to educate and empower the public to make healthy decisions. My diverse public and global experiences with underserved populations, addiction, homeless health, incarceration, evacuation from Hurricane Katrina and medical relief to earthquake victims in Haiti have given me a unique perspective which I enthusiastically share with the public! Read MoreRead LessCorrectionsReprints & Permissions Loading ... More from ForbesRegeneron CEO & CSO: The Real Healthcare Problem Is Bigger Than You ThinkPfizer CEO: How The Biopharmaceutical Industry Creates Value (And Jobs) For The U.S. EconomyGradual Progress In Precision Non-Oncology, But Challenges PersistAmid Executive Shuffle, Anthem Looks To Expand Health Services'Forest Bathing' Really May Be Good For Health, Study FindsNot Fun In The Sun: Summer Infections From AnimalsInsurers To Trump: Suspending Payments For 'High-Need Patients' Roils MarketCDC: Over 200 Ill From Parasite Outbreak, Del Monte Recalls Vegetable TraysIs Telemedicine Dead Before It Arrives?More Articles |