Putting the ‘Care’ in ‘Healthcare’

Israel is one of the most technologically and medically advanced nations in the world, but over the course of the pandemic, they have proven themselves to be at the forefront of a different type of medical treatment, compassion. By allowing visitors into COVID-19 wards, some hospitals in Israel have successfully increased morale among patients, citizens, and hospital staff members. They have also reminded the world that while we need to consider the medical ramifications of our actions, we need to consider their emotional effects as well. 

The concept originated in Tel Aviv’s Sourasky Medical Center in April, when medical center spokesman, Avi Shushan, questioned the morality of allowing journalists into hospital wards with protective gear on, but not the family members of patients who were on their deathbeds. “This is the moral thing” he said, “Nobody needs to die alone. I don’t understand the logic of this.” As a result of his inquiry, the hospital changed its visitor policy, allowing one or two relatives per patient a half an hour at their bedside. Chief executive, Dr. Ronni Gamzu, said that “We had anxiety, narrow thinking, a little bit of hysteria and we were too conservative...we’re putting all our energy into medical issues, and too little into loneliness and compassionate care.” Soon after the hospital announced their new visitor policy, other hospitals in Israel followed suit. 

Now, during the second wave, hospitals in Israel have continued to provide emotional support to their patients, as well as medical support. This has been accomplished most recently at Hadassah University Hospital in Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, where the hospital has embarked on a method of care that they believe is the first of its kind in the world. In an effort to increase the morale of its patients, the hospital has begun allowing volunteers who have already recovered from COVID and have antibodies, to don protective gear and visit people who are currently fighting COVID-19. Rely Alon, Hadassah’s head nurse, said, “People feel so lonely in the coronavirus department, and it’s a great help for patients, and also for staff, that visitors now come, hold patients’ hands, chat with them and keep them company.” Moshe Tauber, one of the first volunteers for the program, described his experience saying, “I make them a cup of tea, sit with them, talk about how they are feeling, and they say it helps them a lot.” Currently there are 25 volunteers, but since the program launched, Alon has been “getting more and more calls from people offering to participate.”