In this two-part series, Cara is joined by Dr. Rob McDermid to discuss the critical role of compassionate care in healthcare. Rob shares his personal journey and emphasizes the importance of blending the art of medicine with compassion to enhance patient experiences. They explore how healthcare facilities can overcome barriers to compassionate care, offering practical tips for making patients and their families more comfortable in stressful situations. The conversation highlights the importance of quickly establishing trust and managing patient care through certainty, confidence, and hope. Rob also reflects on his view of medicine as a performance art grounded in science, the necessity of being comfortable with discomfort, and the profound impact of patient and family encounters on his role as a doctor.
Dr. Rob McDermid, MD FRCPC, is an intensive care physician and senior healthcare administrator based in Vancouver, Canada. He serves as a Clinical Professor at the University of British Columbia and has authored over 40 scientific publications and book chapters. Balancing his roles as a front-line clinician and administrative leader has taught him the values of servant leadership, self-compassion, and self-care. His TEDx talk, “Why Talking About Dying Matters,” emphasizes his belief in the integration of the art and science of medicine, advocating for compassionate conversations about death and dying. Dr. McDermid lives with his wife and two children, who inspire him to embrace fun and wonder in life.
