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
From Waiting to Welcoming: How Children’s of Alabama Elevated Pediatric ED Experience
Published March 1, 2026

Children’s of Alabama elevated its pediatric emergency department experience by using real-time feedback, activating surge capacity sooner, and creating sensory-friendly spaces to better support patients and families. These targeted efforts reduced Left Without Being Seen rates by more than half and led to top national performance among peer pediatric emergency departments.
Learn more -
Patient Family & Community Engagement | Staff & Provider Engagement
Connecting Compassion for Patients with Health Care Worker Wellbeing
Published July 29, 2025
This webinar will explore: understanding who patients are, what they need, and how compassion can be shown; research on the benefits of compassionate care for patients and providers; and practical communication skills to avoid common pitfalls that increase suffering. By reconnecting healthcare workers with the “why” of their roles, we can enhance patient experience and
Learn more -
Patient Family & Community Engagement
The Compassionate Care Canvas: A Vision for People-Centred Health
Published October 22, 2025
Shana Haberman Manager, People-Centred Care North York General At North York General (NYG), compassionate care is more than a value — it’s a culture, a practice, and a promise. As NYG launched its new 10-year strategy, grounded in the mission of People-Centred Care for a healthier community, the need to define compassionate care in a
Learn more