Humankind: The Search for Well-Being
These audio documentaries, originally heard on public radio, explore health care for the "whole person" - mind, body and spirit - and how that fits into the new health care era. Hear powerful stories from doctors, nurses and patients who take this natural, low-tech approach, ...
These audio documentaries, originally heard on public radio, explore health care for the "whole person" - mind, body and spirit - and how that fits into the new health care era. Hear powerful stories from doctors, nurses and patients who take this natural, low-tech approach, sometimes known as "integrative medicine". The importance of an individual's self-care is also explored.
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Segment 4: Maintaining Compassion for the Patient
We hear from medical professors Ronald Epstein, MD (University of ...
We hear from medical professors Ronald Epstein, MD (University of Rochester) and, Victoria Maizes, MD (University of Arizona), along with nursing professor Mary Jo Kreitzer (University of Minnesota). Each has given deep reflection to the dynamics of communication between a health professional and the patient. What are the obstacles? How is information and support conveyed to the patient? We also learn about the fascinating health benefits of common integrative techniques: Tracy Gaudet, MD, a senior Veterans Administration health official, describes stress management exercises for veterans facing surgery at a VA hospital in Los Angeles. We hear about the ancient Chinese system of acupuncture – now shown to be effective for pain relief in well-controlled western studies – from Marcos Hsu, a staff acupuncturist based at a Maryland hospital. Also, a look at the remarkable health benefits of meditation from University of Virginia nursing professor, Susan Bauer-Wu, who personally practices meditation
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Segment 3: Doctors of the Future
Medical education is in transition – but not rapidly enough, ...
Medical education is in transition – but not rapidly enough, according to a several reformers we’ll hear. For one thing, instruction in nutrition remains mostly marginalized in medical school, despite widespread health care crises related to dietary intake (obesity, heart disease and diabetes). In this segment, we visit medical students at the third largest U.S. college campus, Ohio State University in Columbus, who are committed to a greater focus on wellness. We hear their vision of health care in the future. And we join them for a cooking class, led by visionary chef Laura Robertson-Boyd, where future physicians learn important knowledge they will be called on to impart to their patients. We also travel to Tucson for a conversation with University of Arizona medical professor Victoria Maizes, MD, whose widely acclaimed curriculum in integrative care provides current health professionals with “the education you didn’t get” in conventional medical school. Also, an exploration of “health coaching” for positive lifestyle change, with an expert from University of Minnesota, Karen Lawson, MD.
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Segment 2: When a Doctor Has Time to Listen
Here’s the story of a frightening situation that could happen ...
Here’s the story of a frightening situation that could happen to any of us. When a California attorney, Deb Graceffa , started experiencing strange symptoms an initial diagnosis pointed to a potentially crippling illness. But high-tech testing and conventional medicine failed to arrest her symptoms, which continued to worsen. After trying numerous doctors, she was referred to a respected physician, University of California medical professor Rick McKinney, who is deeply experienced in integrative care. His approach differed from the others’ and led to a fairly rapid diagnosis requiring minor, mostly natural treatments that gave rapid relief. We hear from the physician and grateful patient about the nature of their communication. Also, the story of Dean Ornish, MD, a pioneer in integrative medicine whose program of stress management, plant-based diet and social support has achieved high success with heart patients and is now covered by Medicare. And we learn how this all fits into the health care overhaul from comments by Jeffrey Levi, a public health expert who was appointed to chair President Obama’s prevention advisory group.
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Segment 1: Treating the Whole Person
Our series starts at the busiest hospital trauma center in ...
Our series starts at the busiest hospital trauma center in the U.S., part of the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. In this high-stakes setting, patients are offered conventional medical treatment, but also integrative care. This includes relaxation techniques, which can greatly relieve stress for people in a severe medical crisis – and their loved ones. We hear the surprising story of Rick Shanas, a long-time Chicago police officer (now retired), who was admitted due to serious complications from cancer and who derived significant benefit from integrative techniques. He was especially grateful for interactions with Donna Audia, RN, a dedicated, compassionate nurse who now specializes in integrative treatment. We also hear from Thomas Scalea, MD, the hospital’s chief physician; and from one of the nation’s leading experts in integrative medicine, University of Maryland medical professor Brian Berman, MD, as well as from Cornell medical professor, Carla Boutin-Foster, MD, who was introduced to effective natural remedies from her mother.
