For all intents and purposes, respect is an important and viable construct of any culture. When there’s a culture of respect in healthcare, people perform better, are more innovative and display greater resilience. Within a culture of respect, patients would feel cared for, and healthcare teams become more engaged and more service minded. This is something which is much needed within our hospital system.
According to a Harvard Medical School article, there are two types of respect – owed and earned respect. Owed respect is premised on the understanding that all all individuals have inherent value and the right to be treated with dignity.
The lack of owed respect can be seen in behaviors such as micromanagement of staff, distrust, misconduct, and making people feel that they are easily replaceable. The result is a toxic work environment lacking in joy or fulfillment often leading to burnout and dissatisfaction.
Earned respect is the recognition of individuals who have gone above and beyond expectations. Everyone wants to feel appreciated for a job well done. That’s human nature. When earned respect is not forthcoming, the result is often reduced motivation and a lack of accountability.
Respect ought to be shown to everyone regardless of their position in the organizational chart. An amazing example that the articles provides is of a physician holding a door open for a hospital cleaner? What a sight to behold! This simple act of kindness will boost self-worth and appreciation in a person.
In a class-conscious, status-conscious society such as ours where what a person does as a profession is prized above the good qualities they possess, such displays of respect are quite uncommon. It’s time to inculcate a sense of respect which transcends class and status in healthcare and in society. Don’t you agree?
Read more of this compelling article from the Harvard Medical School here .
