Video Short: Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird" - Understanding patient experience in healthcare

Dr Nima's Eye Pod

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view—until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” p39, To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus believes you need to try to understand other people by seeing things from their point of view. In the field of healthcare, while medical knowledge and technical expertise are essential, it is equally important for doctors to understand the patient's perspective. This understanding allows doctors to provide empathetic and patient-centered care, particularly for conditions like uveitis that can significantly impact a person's quality of life. Uveitis refers to a complex spectrum of disease which leads to inflammation in the eye (Uvea: eye, Itis: Inflammation). Often, patients have had the condition for years and know it inside-out. In many cases, the patient might be more of an expert in the condition than their treating doctor. Here is where the Atticus Finch approach comes in - truly understanding the condition can sometimes only come from getting a sense of the disease impact - empathy is crucial as it helps us comprehend the physical, emotional, and psychological impact of the condition on the individual. It helps us establish trust and build a strong patient-doctor relationship and leads to better outcomes. Empowering the patient is crucial.