Archive - June 2026

Communicate, communicate, communicate – and care

The best surgeons justifiably have excellent reputations for the resolution of their patients’ health problems and return to good health. But emphasis on simply the acquisition and implementation of technical knowledge limits understanding of the patient experience and wellbeing, and the role of that in the resolution of the clinical problem. It lacks humanity, compassion and respect. An intrinsic part of recovery is the patient’s sense of wellbeing, of security, of trust, of being seen, and of being communicated with. It’s about minimising any surprises for the patient in the wilderness of their unknown. The same is true for any leader taking people through change. Uncertainty, anxiety, and feeling abandoned have a detrimental effect on recovery, on the perception of pain, on complications and on fatigue. Negative emotions such as abandonment and worry decrease blood flow to surgical sites, amplify the perception of pain, and suppress the immune system. There can be significant delays to wound repair. If the surgeon demonstrates genuine empathy, respect, compassion and interest in the patient’s experience, that patient will feel safer and more trusting. The hormonal cocktail lowers stress chemicals, allowing muscles to relax, heart rate to stabilise, and deep tissue healing to begin. As they start their journey, what the patient needs is clear information about the weeks ahead – what to expect, what possibilities might arise, what to be concerned about, the steps they can usefully take, and how to manage it all.