Compassionate Conversations (CC) #DFTB18

By Una Harrington

This morning, I had the pleasure of attending an insightful and inspiring workshop called ‘Compassionate Conversations’ with @FreerMary @SuprPowrBabies @RachelCallander

What a session…..

Looking forward to more #realtalk, #compassioninaction and #compassionrevolution

So, here are 9 things I learned today………

1. What is compassion?
   • A sensitivity to suffering in self and others with a commitment to try and alleviate or prevent it (We often forget the self ‘bit’!) 
     

Reference – Gilbert and Choden 2013

1. • Compassion is one of the most important declarations of strength and courage known to humanity.
     • It is difficult and powerful; infectious and influential.
     • It is perhaps the only universally recognised language with the ability to change the world.

Reference – P Gilbert, OBE

2. ‘At work, there is always pain in the room’
   • Not just our patients, but in our teams too.
   • If there’s always pain, there’s always room for compassion too.

Reference – Peter Frost, Uni or British Columbia Business School

3. What is Self-Compassion? – 3 key elements by Dr. Kirsten Neff
   • Common Humanity vs Isolation
     • Your experience is part of the normal human condition
   • Self-Kindness vs Self Judgement
   • Mindfulness vs Over-identification
     • Being aware of your thoughts and feelings, which may be painful, and taking a balanced approach to them
     • But not being absorbed by them

Reference –  http://www.Selfcompassion.org

4. Self-Compassion – Does it work?
   • Improved mood, feeling and resilience
   • Increases one’s ability to have compassionate towards others

5. The Trichotomy
   • A new way to think health care delivery by Rachel Callander
   • For good therapeutic relationship to thrive, everybody needs to be cared for
     1. The Patient
     2. The Parent/Carer
     3. The Professional

Reference https://wrapcomau.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/d8109-effectivecommunication-awhitepaperbyrachelcallander.pdf, Page 4

6. Be brave
   • Ask your patient – ‘What is you biggest fear or concern today?’
     • You might be surprised by the answer
     • You might be able to both reassure and give practical help

7. Be aware
   • When you give the same information to different patients and / or their parents, their understanding and retention of that info can vary greatly.
   • Consider opening your patient interaction with the phrase – ‘What do you understand about what’s happened so far?’

8. Be honest

 

9. Using 6, 7 and 8 move both yourself and the patient from Fear, Arrogance and Judgement to Respect, Trust and Love

 

References

https://wrapcomau.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/03983-offerings-keynotesandworkshops.pdf, Page 7.

About Una Harrington