MediaVox Magazine is not just a national magazine that tells cultural stories in all its many facets. For almost ten years, it has been a real community collecting ideas, projects, and initiatives, but also the thoughts of our readers who see in our virtual pages a concrete "hand" ready to write with them about daily life made of joys and sorrows, successes and torments, passions, and paybacks. In this last period, we received many emails telling stories of sad and angry moments and worries that grip families, the elderly, and even the youngest. Stories "of the ward" and "in the ward" are increasingly tainted with a veil of sadness.
The situation, especially in Italian emergency rooms, is critical: limited staff available, more and more hard shifts, increasingly less organized structures, and more desperate patients.
The news reports case after case of aggression, arguments, and tensions. We are not talking about medical malpractice but we are talking about two opposing fronts (the medical and paramedical staff on one side, the patients and their families on the other) who for some time have not understood each other, do not speak the "same language", do not meet, do not embrace, do not listen. Probably, it is no one's fault. Tension and stress win over everything. The simple fact is that the problem exists and must be solved, by supporting everyone and no longer tolerating certain attitudes. Doctors should be given all the necessary tools and everything that is needed. However, dignity should never be denied to patients and their families. Empathy, care, and collaboration. Well, disposition towards each other.
Today we do not yet feel ready to share letters from patients and doctors who have written us. Let us not even talk about the messages from the patient’s relatives. We do not feel ready because reading words so strong and profound, so true and absurd, disconcerts us, makes us sad, worries us, and makes us feel more alone in the world.
We then thought of having a doctor who works between Italy and America, who travels the world, who deals with very important solidarity initiatives, speaking to us. We interviewed Prof. Antonio Giordano, an internationally renowned oncologist and scientist, who has built his career on study but also on empathy, humility and availability.
The relationship between patients and their families has become increasingly complex, especially in the wards and emergency rooms. How do you interpret the data of increasing episodes of violence? The situation in hospitals is worrying. This is confirmed by the numerous episodes of violence against healthcare personnel, with a significant increase in physical and verbal aggression, especially in emergency departments and emergency rooms where stress and tension can reach high levels. To solve the problem, the Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci, has proposed awareness campaigns to encourage cultural change among citizens, but also an increase in police presence within hospital facilities. Without safety for operators, quality care for patients is difficult.
In your opinion, how should doctors and healthcare professionals manage the relationship with patients and their families and how should they relate to them, especially in the most complicated moments, when for example they have to manage emergencies or communicate dire diagnoses? Is targeted training necessary? It is a priority that doctors have targeted training to manage delicate situations and difficult diagnoses. To this end, the use of empathic communication through active listening is useful. Paying attention and showing interest in what patients are saying, relating to them, trying to understand their emotions and concerns, using clear and easy language, avoiding complex medical terms, respecting the dignity and autonomy of patients, involving patients in the decision-making process, discussing options and listening to their preferences and offering emotional support, especially in difficult moments.
What can be done for a family that feels abandoned by the healthcare system? There are many non-profit organizations and patient groups that offer support, advice, and resources for families in difficulty. They can provide information about patient rights, assist in finding appropriate care, and offer emotional support. Local social services can offer assistance and guidance in accessing healthcare, financial support, and other necessary resources. Contacting a social worker can help understand the options available and obtain information on the affordability of care in suitable locations. If possible, seek out a trusted doctor who can provide a secondary opinion and help navigate the healthcare system. An experienced doctor can suggest better facilities and specialists and offer advice on treatment options. Many countries around the world have figures such as Health Ombudsmen who can intervene in cases of neglect or lack of adequate care. Educating yourself can help you assert your rights and obtain better care. Finally, joining online or local support groups can help share experiences and receive advice from other families facing similar situations. Sharing information and strategies can make a big difference.
What can be recommended to a Doctor or a healthcare professional forced to manage a sudden criticality? Managing a sudden criticality with limited resources can be a major challenge for doctors. It is necessary to carry out a rapid assessment to determine the severity of the situation and prioritize patients based on the need for immediate intervention and use essential monitoring to assess patients' vital signs. Explain the situation to patients and their families clearly and understandably, maintaining a calm and reassuring tone. Use every resource available to act in the best way and intervene.
The problem of assaults in emergency rooms also exists in America. If so, how is it addressed? What are the similarities and differences with America? Assaults in emergency rooms are a problem in the United States, as well as in Italy. However, there are some differences between the two countries in terms of number of events, type, and management of assaults. In the USA, security measures are certainly more stringent and materialize in the presence of security personnel and surveillance technologies, but also in specific training programs for healthcare personnel to manage situations of violence.
Professor Antonio Giordano, M.D., Ph.D., is the creator and head of the Sbarro Health Research Organization, located at Temple University's College of Science and Technology in Philadelphia. Stay connected with him through his various social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram, to receive the latest updates.
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