With the fast-paced, changing nature of health care, both patients and healthcare professionals are finding that relationships fall by the wayside. Because of this, the Fetzer Institute formed the Relationship-Centered Care Network to renew focus on the very basic need for relationships in health care, whether it be on the part of the patient, practitioner, patient's family, caregivers, or even the community.
In November, 2000, a group of 200 health care practitioners, administrators, medical students, and community leaders interested in promoting relationship-centered care came together in Scottsdale, Arizona for the Second National Gathering of the Relationship-Centered Care Network.
As part of the gathering, volunteers interviewed participants interested in sharing their experience of relationship-centered care. More than 30 stories, providing insight into the principles and practices of relationship-centered care, were transcribed. Seven stories were selected for this publication.
We hope you find these stories uplifting and useful in your practice of relationship-centered care.
David Sluyter, Ed.D.
The Fetzer Institute