Building Trust and Health Through Positive Relationships in Healthcare (Full Transcript)

Speaker 1: Life is about relationships. Whether we are a patient, nurse, caregiver, or community leader, we interact with people every day. Each interaction, both positive or negative, influences how we build new relationships, engage with others, and make decisions that can influence our health and the health of those in our communities. Unfortunately, in health systems around the world, relationships are strained. Many patients feel their concerns are not heard or addressed. And many health workers feel overwhelmed, under-resourced, and blamed for poor quality care. Instead of respect and compassion between patients and health workers, there is tension and barriers. Improving these relationships through intentional community engagement is essential to supporting people-centered services that prevent ill health and promote well-being. Research shows there is a strong link between human connection and health. People who have strong social connections and feel they are well-connected to others live longer and recover faster from disease. In fact, every interaction between people releases a mixture of chemicals and hormones that can either be harmful or health-promoting. When people have positive engagements, they are contagious. We share in smiles and joy with others. Every day, there are millions of interactions, big and small, in the health system. A nurse discussing a case with a doctor. A caregiver raising a medication concern to a pharmacist. A receptionist taking an urgent call from a parent. That's millions of opportunities to make even a tiny difference. What if clinicians stopped talking at patients and started talking with them? What if managers empowered their staff by cultivating team cultures focused on safety and professional growth? What if policymakers listened to service providers and users so they understood where to invest resources to build healthier and more equitable communities? Every single form of engagement between people, no matter how brief, is an opportunity to meaningfully connect, to plant seeds of compassion, and to build trust with one another. It starts with listening, empathizing, and working together to develop the best solutions in each circumstance. Through intentional community engagement, patients can become active champions for their health and the health of their communities. Staff can take initiative and lead change in the health system. Together, everyone's health and well-being can improve. Science and personal experience tell us that the way we interact with each other affects our health and well-being. Every interaction carries an opportunity to build positive relationships, which in turn builds trust, leads to more effective partnerships, locally relevant solutions, and wiser use of resources. Let's build meaningful relationships in every interaction through community engagement. www.cdc.gov