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I could not agree more. Whilst needing to trust that the medical professional is looking after your health, as the author indicates, basic care and attention to detail of how someone is approached and treated as a human, is so important. I believe that by observing people's behaviour, demeanor and body language, can say a lot about how someone is feeling. If you wish to gain patient compliance, reduce anxiety and promote recovery, the way in which you respond to those observations could make all the difference and will make a difference to someone's experience; especially when they are vulnerable. There are many examples of small acts of kindness that cost nothing. No matter what your rank / position, from cleaner to professor, make every interaction count. It costs nothing to say something kind and or to carry out an act of kindness.
Re: Never ever underestimate the impact of small acts of kindness
Dear Editor,
I could not agree more. Whilst needing to trust that the medical professional is looking after your health, as the author indicates, basic care and attention to detail of how someone is approached and treated as a human, is so important. I believe that by observing people's behaviour, demeanor and body language, can say a lot about how someone is feeling. If you wish to gain patient compliance, reduce anxiety and promote recovery, the way in which you respond to those observations could make all the difference and will make a difference to someone's experience; especially when they are vulnerable. There are many examples of small acts of kindness that cost nothing. No matter what your rank / position, from cleaner to professor, make every interaction count. It costs nothing to say something kind and or to carry out an act of kindness.
Competing interests: No competing interests