Compassionate Care

Monitoring the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines

Monitoring the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines

By Dr. Seleem R. Choudhury

Next to clean water, no single intervention has had such a dramatic effect on decreasing mortality as has the widespread introduction of vaccines (Howson, Howe, & Fineberg, 1991). The World Health Organization (WHO) describes immunization as a “key component of primary health care and an indisputable human right,” as well as “one of the best health investments money can buy” (World Health Organization, 2020). Vaccines play a critical role in the prevention and management of the outbreak of infectious diseases. The rapid spread of COVID-19 during the months-long wait for a vaccine have highlighted their importance to public health.

Overcoming barriers to provide patient-centered care

Overcoming barriers to provide patient-centered care

By Dr. Seleem R. Choudhury

The term "patient-centered care" is in vogue and utilized by health system administrators, marketing gurus, hospital staff, and clinicians alike. It's a catchy phrase that resonates with stakeholders, and it sounds like something every healthcare organization would heartily embrace. However, the heart of patient-centered care and its implications for how care is actually provided to patients is not well understood.

Providing compassionate care while wearing a face mask

Providing compassionate care while wearing a face mask

Interpreting facial cues is a central component of effective communication. In his 1865 book, Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals, Charles Darwin argued that our brains are able to extract a tremendous amount of subtle detail from just a glance…