By Linh Dang, Chief Experience Officer, Cook County Health
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the world seems more stressed and unhappy –to the point that large-scales of workers voluntarily left their jobs during and after the pandemic. This is known as the “Great Resignation”. In the early year of 2021, this movement was driven by several factors, including dissatisfaction with work-life balance, health concerns, burnout, inadequate wages, and a desire for more meaningful employment. It significantly shifted labor dynamics, especially in the United States. Mid-career employees between 30 and 45 years old have seen the greatest increase in resignation rates, with a 20% rise between 2020 and 2021, particularly in the technology and healthcare sectors. Burnout was a significant factor, with nearly 40% of respondents indicating that stress and overwork were key reasons for quitting their jobs during the pandemic. Even though wages grew in 2021, they did not keep up with inflation, leaving many workers feeling undercompensated, particularly in service industries where pay is traditionally lower. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) implemented a Social Distancing Act to slow the spread of COVID-19. This included both stay-at-home orders by the government and requiring people to keep at least six feet of space between themself and other people who are not from their household – causing loneliness, widespread increases in mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety.
Healthcare systems worldwide continue to evolve. At the core center of the development of the patient care model is the patient experience. In the next three to five years, several emerging trends will reshape how patients and staff interact within the healthcare environment. These trends, which focus on holistic care, emphasize the crucial role of arts in medicine, staff well-being, social and nature prescribing, and the human-centered approach to medicine. At the heart of this transformation lies a return to fundamental human compassion and connection, enhanced by emotional marketing strategies that highlight empathy and personal engagement.
Technology may enhance efficiency, but it cannot replace the importance of compassion, empathy, and understanding in the patient experience.
Alternative Medicine: Enhancing the Experience for All
One might think that offering the arts in healthcare is a nicety, but it is an important and integral part of the system. The integration of the arts into medicine is gaining momentum as a powerful tool for improving patient outcomes. Art therapy, music therapy, and visual arts programs are increasingly recognized for their ability to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, particularly in long-term care or palliative settings. Research supports the idea that engaging with the arts can speed up recovery, lower the need for pain medications, and improve overall patient satisfaction.
Incorporating arts into healthcare environments transforms sterile, impersonal spaces into nurturing, human-centered environments. Murals, music, creative workshops, and storytelling can elevate the healing process, offering emotional comfort, a positive distraction, and a sense of normalcy during challenging times. This approach encourages patient engagement, builds a sense of community, and fosters resilience, especially for those with chronic conditions.
Staff who engage with the arts are better equipped to manage stress and avoid burnout, leading to improved patient care. These programs help foster creativity, which can be applied to problem-solving and compassionate care. In an emotionally taxing field, the arts provide an essential outlet for healthcare workers to process their experiences and rediscover joy and purpose in their roles.
The latest vital intervention for holistic health is “social prescribing”. It is rapidly emerging as a key intervention that addresses both the social and medical needs of patients. This approach recognizes that health is determined by a wide range of social factors—housing, education, isolation, and community support. By “prescribing” activities like art classes, community gardening, or volunteer opportunities, healthcare providers can offer patients non-clinical resources that promote emotional and mental well-being.
Social prescribing empowers patients to take an active role in their health. For example, a doctor might recommend joining a book club to combat loneliness or suggest participation in a pottery class to manage anxiety. These prescriptions focus on building strong social connections and improving overall quality of life, reducing the reliance on medication and clinical interventions.
Returning to Basics: Human Connection at the Core
At the heart of all these innovations is a return to the basic principle that healthcare is about human beings treating human beings. Technology may enhance efficiency, but it cannot replace the importance of compassion, empathy, and understanding in the patient experience. Human connection should be at the forefront of healthcare delivery, with professionals encouraged to treat each patient not just as a medical case, but as an individual with a unique set of needs, emotions, and experiences.
Reintroducing more face-to-face interactions, offering patients more time with their healthcare providers, and fostering communication rooted in empathy will be crucial to improving patient outcomes. This back-to-basics approach emphasizes the importance of seeing the patient as a whole person, not just a diagnosis.
The future of healthcare lies in a holistic approach that integrates the arts, social capital, and emotional connection. As healthcare moves forward, these emerging trends will redefine the patient experience, ensuring that patients receive not only excellent medical care but also emotional and psychological support that enhances their overall wellbeing. At the core of these changes is the recognition that healing is an inherently human process, and it thrives on compassion, creativity, and connection. If healthcare systems are not integrating these initiatives, they are not providing the highest standard of care.
