Overwhelmed health care ‘heroes’ need our support
I still see patients and the physicians and other health care professionals who work with me at Nationwide Children’s Hospital inspire me . ... Together, we can make a difference. We can keep these heroes in the business of health care. We need them more than ever.
It seems like just a year ago you couldn’t swing a stethoscope without hitting somebody celebrating frontline health care providers for courageously and compassionately doing their jobs during the surge of COVID-19 infections.
Well, a lot has changed for frontline health care workers, but unfortunately the pandemic, repeated surges and long, tough hours haven’t changed.
What has diminished is the overwhelming support and appreciation for the work they continue to do. While many of those same heroes are still on the job, they no longer experience the uniform gratitude from patients and the public that they did earlier.
Our health care providers need our support. This latest COVID surge is straining our health care delivery systems. The volume of patients is challenging enough, but couple that with a national shortage of frontline health care professionals of all kinds, and it’s taking a toll on them.
Our frontline caregivers are the professionals whose only job is to make things better – but it’s not easy right now. They are working longer hours, picking up extra shifts, working overnight, missing meals and barely having time for bathroom breaks.
Some are approaching their breaking points. I know the stories of doctors and nurses crying after their shifts. Others have already made the choice to leave the profession.
Staffing shortages are exacerbating an already difficult, challenging and tiring pandemic.
Make no mistake about it, the pandemic is hard on everyone, we’re all feeling it. Health care workers are at the tip of that spear, and we need them there caring for us, not just because of COVID, but also for heart attacks, strokes, asthma attacks, mental health crises, motor vehicle accidents and everything else that brings people into the emergency department. When tragedy strikes, we want these heroes to be available to save our lives, to be rested and ready to go.
Here’s how we can help them right now:
h Remember that our health care providers are heroes. Text a nurse you know and thank them for all they do. Give doctors, nurses, EMS providers and all health care personnel a shout-out on social media. Give them a discount at your business. A free cup of coffee and a thank you goes a long way when you are tired and heading into an overnight shift with a waiting room full of scared and frustrated patients and families.
h Speaking of patients, if you are one, it means so much when you take a moment to give your health care team a nice word of appreciation for their care. Health care professionals are here to help and serve. The pandemic isn’t their fault. Staffing challenges and long wait times caused by record volumes aren’t their fault. They are part of the solution, not the problem. Your accolades are really needed right now. Take a moment to express the appreciation I know we all feel.
I’m fortunate to work in health care and at a children’s hospital.
I still see patients and the physicians and other health care professionals who work with me at Nationwide Children’s Hospital inspire me. They are, have been and always will be heroes. Please join me in recognizing the health care heroes in your life. Together, we can make a difference. We can keep these heroes in the business of health care. We need them more than ever. Let’s give them our kindness and support.
Dr. Rustin Morse is the chief medical officer at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.