Burnout, bullying, workforce retention, toxicity and abuse are endemic in the medical system, and with the continued strains of the pandemic, there has never been a better time for change.
Local resident Lucy Mayes and fellow organisers of the Gathering of Kindness want to flip this narrative and instil a culture of kindness throughout the healthcare system.
“Patients often report one of the most powerful elements of their care is an act of kindness,” Lucy said.
“The medical system is often about measurements, and there is a huge amount of evidence to support this model.
“There is biochemistry in giving, witnessing or experiencing kindness, which changes our internal physiology.”
Lucy, inspired by her husband Dr Richard Mayes’ experience of burnout, wrote a book called Beyond the Stethoscope: Doctors stories of reclaiming hope, heart, and healing in medicine. Lucy interviewed 30 doctors from various fields across Australia and New Zealand, including the founder of the Gathering of Kindness, Catherine Crock.
“At first it was difficult for Richard to share his vulnerability,” Lucy said. “The purpose of the book is not to be perfect but to be human, and it helped Richard to heal and many others have since shared their experiences.”
Richard (aka the dancing doctor), is also an award-winning medical educator and will be presenting at this year’s Gathering of Kindness with his all-ages, all-abilities dance troupe, Silvertops Dance Crew.
The Hush Gathering of Kindness aims to build and nurture a culture of kindness throughout the healthcare system.
Now more than ever, kindness is needed, particularly with the ongoing pandemic bringing new anxiety, stress and challenges to our healthcare workers. They remain at the frontline in emergency departments, wards, and intensive care units, risking their own health and the health of their families.
The annual Gathering of Kindness provides an opportunity to share ideas, learn the ways kindness is driving change for the better around the world, and for all stakeholders in healthcare to have a voice in co-creating a kinder healthcare system for all.
A week of events will be held around Australia from Monday November 7 to Friday November 11. World Kindness Day is on Sunday November 13.
Health and aged care staff and organisations, and patients and families can join in the Hush Gathering of Kindness events.
For more information and the full program, visit www.gatheringofkindness. org/2022. Tickets are available at events. humanitix.com/gathering-of-kindness-2022/tickets