Many caregivers are worthy of the thanks they receive, many are courteous and passionate caregivers, concerned about the people they meet in the context of their work. But it is clear that a growing number of distressing attitudes seem to be spreading and gaining ground in healthcare settings. It is more than heartbreaking to learn, both in the media and from our loved ones, of these stories of negligence and carelessness towards others.
As a nurse who has observed the health network for several decades, I think that we must go beyond the direct link that we tend to make between these deplorable attitudes and working conditions, poor management and so on. Of course, many problems afflict our network, which seems to have become our Quebec Middle East, it seems so complicated to see clearly.
Of course, we must seek solutions to improve this collective wealth. I simply feel the need to look at the whole thing from another point of view, to change the height of my view. The dehumanization observed in health services is worrying; wouldn’t it be time to ask ourselves about the place we give, or not, to friendliness and elegance, that is to say to the quality of our manners? Do we want, or not, to make them essential values in our society?
We may talk about benevolence, know-how, empathy, we may develop protocols, policies, processes, the foundation of any good practice remains our own civility, our way of behaving towards each other. , our simple way of life.
I know it may seem like a simplistic approach, but I think friendliness and elegance are timeless values of humanity that promote curiosity about others, listening and enrichment of all, and this , even in full overflow. Being kind rather than rude never wastes time and, moreover, it just makes life more enjoyable.
Let us beware of this “take me as I am” which authorizes us to deposit our fatigue and our individual revolt on the other, whom we call beneficiary, patient and even client! Let us remember that it is rather a person, like us. Let’s be curious about the experience of the other, which is our own, made up of pain, loss and the inevitable death that awaits us.
Yes, the world of work has the air of an ambush, it is often demanding and difficult, but let’s not make it more indigestible by making friendliness and elegance obsolete and superfluous. On the contrary, courtesy does good, adds grace and joy, especially in times of great tension.
Let’s not let fatigue and gloom abandon this part of our civility. The fact of being overwhelmed or tired can on occasion explain certain clumsiness, but not indifference towards the other, never. Let’s make friendliness and elegance beautiful habits that won’t solve everything, but which will undoubtedly elevate us a little more, for our greater good and that of the health network and society.