By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Person-Centered HealthCare: ER Doc’s Letter Shows Human Side of HealthCare
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Public Health > Person-Centered HealthCare: ER Doc’s Letter Shows Human Side of HealthCare
Public Health

Person-Centered HealthCare: ER Doc’s Letter Shows Human Side of HealthCare

Dan Munro
Dan Munro
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

Editor’s Note: Dan Munro is a contributing editor to Forbes.  His columns are collected under the heading, “The HealthCare Compass.”

Editor’s Note: Dan Munro is a contributing editor to Forbes.  His columns are collected under the heading, “The HealthCare Compass.”

Last year I wrote a piece that referenced a study released by Xerox. The study itself highlighted what Xerox found was often a missing element in healthcare – the human element.

This last December, an emergency room doc (thought to be female based on the handwriting) wrote a note to the widow of a patient she had treated in the Emergency Department of New York Presbyterian Hospital. Over the course of this last week, the note itself (names redacted) surfaced through one of the family members on Reddit – and went viral. At last count it had over 2 million hits.

More Read

Time to Move Beyond “Quantified Self” and Toward a “Wantified Self” Philosophy?
Just-in-Time Health Information Systems Are Coming: Are You Ready?
The Cost of Treating Uninsured Patients
Impacts of Drug Abuse on Current Generation and Ways to Counter Them
Mark Fisher, Candidate for Governor of MA, Speaks with the Health Business Blog

The compassionate letter itself (original link here) continues to resonate with a large number of people as a gentle reminder of that critically important element of healthcare – the human element.

 

12/7/12

Dear Mr. ______________,

I am the Emergency Medicine physician who treated your wife Mrs. __________ last Sunday in the Emergency Department at the New York Presbyterian Hospital. I learned only yesterday about her passing away and wanted to write to you to express my sadness. In my twenty years as a doctor in the Emergency Room, I have never written to a patient or family member, as our encounters are typically hurried and do not always allow for more personal interaction. However, in your case, I felt a special connection to your wife __________ who was so engaging and cheerful in spite of her illness and trouble breathing. I was also touched by the fact that you seemed to be a very loving couple. You were highly supportive of her, asking the right questions with calm, care and concern. From my experience as a physician, I find that the love and support of a spouse or a family member is the most soothing gift, bringing peace and serenity to those critically ill.

I am sorry for your loss and I hope you can find comfort in the memory of your wife’s great spirit and of your loving bond. My heart felt condolences go out to you and your family.

___________________, MD

Original Post

 If you like this post, please read other posts in the series on the Person-Centered HealthCare main page. And if you have a story to tell that may be a fit with our series, please comment below or email me at joan@socialmediatoday.com

 

TAGGED:doctor/patient engagementPerson-Centered HealthCare
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

dental care
Importance of Good Dental Care for Health and Confidence
Dental health Specialties
October 2, 2025
AI in Healthcare
AI in Healthcare: Technology is Transforming the Global Landscape
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
October 1, 2025
Choosing the Right Swimwear for Health and Safety
News
September 30, 2025
sports concussions
Concussion In Sports: How Common They Are And What You Need To Know
Infographics
September 28, 2025

You Might also Like

doctor public service
BusinessPublic HealthWellness

7 Ways to Leverage Public Service Messages in Healthcare Marketing

September 20, 2016
JJ and the kitchen
Public HealthWellness

Obesity and Patients

July 15, 2013
Food policy
Global HealthcarePolicy & LawPublic Health

14 Reasons to Be Hopeful About the Future of Food

October 14, 2013

Hospital Robot Disinfects Rooms

January 5, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?