Focus on optimal health, not ideal health
Published November 4, 2021
Providers strive to help patients live the best, healthiest life they are capable of living. However, those efforts should involve a careful assessment of what the patient’s optimal health status is. It is deleterious to the therapeutic relationship to drive a patient towards a health status they are not able to attain. This article provides a brief commentary on the author’s experience as a patient to illustrate this point.
Related content
-
Patient Family & Community Engagement
Family-Centered Care in Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Units: A Systematic Review of Effects on Parental Satisfaction and Length of Stay
Published August 8, 2025
Background: Family-centered care (FCC) is essential in pediatric and neonatal intensive care units (PICUs), potentially increasing parent satisfaction and reducing length of hospital stay, but evidence of its effectiveness is inconsistent. Objective: To assess the effects of FCC interventions on parent satisfaction and length of hospital stay in PICUs. Methods: A systematic review was conducted, with 17
Learn more -
Patient Family & Community Engagement
Accelerating Patient Connections: Transforming Experience with the F.A.S.T. Method
Published October 12, 2025
Marian Regional Medical Center transformed its emergency department experience using the F.A.S.T. Method—an empathetic communication framework focused on human connection. The F.A.S.T. Method stands for Focus, Acknowledge, Share, and Transfer, which are the critical components designed to enhance patient interaction and satisfaction. Focusing on the patient’s needs from the moment they arrive helps in establishing
Learn more -
Patient Family & Community Engagement | Staff & Provider Engagement
The Cost of Silence: Addressing Disenfranchised Grief in Healthcare
Published June 23, 2026
This webinar shines a light on disenfranchised grief, the often-unrecognized loss experienced by both patients and healthcare professionals. Through real-world stories and frontline insights, presenters will explore how acknowledging unseen grief can transform care experiences and strengthen human connection. Participants will learn how empathetic, developmentally appropriate care supports patients and families while also addressing the
Learn more
Ask questions, share insights and connect with other experience leaders.
PX ConnectBecome a member for access to this resource and more:
- Live and On-demand Webinars and Connection Calls
- PX Papers, Case Studies and Research Reports
- PX Connect Online Community
- Discounts on Learning Programs and Events
Become a member for access to this resource and more:
- Live and On-demand Webinars and Connection Calls
- PX Papers, Case Studies and Research Reports
- PX Connect Online Community
- Discounts on Learning Programs and Events