Somewhere in between inventing new machines, techniques and medicines to make us feel better, medical professionals forgot that not only are their patients human beings with human needs, so too are the doctors.
That is the basic contention of members of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, an international organization of individuals and medical school chapters formed in 2002. Its mission is “dedicated to foster, recognize and support the values of humanism and professionalism in medicine.”
Gold Humanism Honor Society Pledge
As a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, I pledge to:1. Be a role model and mentor for humanism in medicine.2. Champion the proper balance between scientific and humanistic patient care.3. Inspire colleagues to promote humanism throughout the health-care system.4. Advocate humanistic patient care locally, regionally and nationally.5. Nurture fellowship in membership.6. Help those struggling to overcome the barriers to humanism in medicine.7. Be a force for improving healthcare for everyone.
Patient Ambassador Aisha Scott, leans down to pet Peter, a pet therapy dog, during a recent visit on the ninth floor at Erlanger Health System in downtown Chattanooga. Peter is a 12-year-old rescue dog owned by Brenda Bowker.
Peter, 12, a pet therapy dog, cruises the ninth floor at Erlanger Health System on a recent visit to patients and staff.
Javier Huerta enjoys the company of Peter, 12, a pet therapy dog, in his room on the ninth floor at Erlanger Health System in downtown Chattanooga. “Javier told me he misses his pomeranian from home,” Blaine Kelley said, an Erlanger Health System public relations specialist.One of the ways that health-care professionals have tried to reintroduce compassionate care into healing is through pet therapy. At Erlanger, where the local chapter of the GHHS is based, specially trained dogs make regular visits to not only lift the spirits of the patients but the caregivers as well.
“It is amazing that even [long] after the [dogs] visit, it can lesson their [patients’] depression and fatigue,” says surgical nurse Amy Kelly.