WILLIAMSBURG — The hustle and bustle of a busy hospital can make it easy for clinicians to quickly pop in and out of a patient’s room, focusing only on the medical aspect of care.
But what happens when they slow down, sit down and have a face-to-face conversation with their patient?
“It makes your job more humanistic,” said Dr. Justin Belk, chief hospitalist at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center in Williamsburg.
In 2022, Dr. Belk and the team at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center helped roll out a now systemwide initiative at Sentara called Commit to Sit, a nationally recognized, evidence-based approach to care in which hospital clinicians take the time to sit with their patients and have face-to-face conversations.
“It really is about how we take care of patients from a communication and emotional perspective, just as much as the medications we’re giving them,” said Pamela Anderson, chief nursing officer at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center.
The initiative has led to improvements in patient experience.
In 2022, the Commit to Sit program was one of several initiatives put in place to enhance the patient experience. At that time, 75% of Sentara patients said their nurse listened carefully to them and 77% of patients said their doctor listened carefully to them.
Within two years of implementing Commit to Sit, those numbers jumped to 81% for both nurses and physicians, surpassing national averages of 77% for nurses and 79% for physicians.
A study from the Journal of the American College of Radiology showed that when a clinician sits down when talking with patients, patients perceive that the clinician spent 40% more time with them.
“By sitting down, we are telling the patient, ‘Hey, I’m not in a rush. I’m taking my time, I’m here for you, and I’m listening to you,’” said Denise Alcantara, vice president of medical staff at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital in Virginia Beach.
“When the patient knows they have your full attention they’re going to be engaged in asking questions about their care. If they understand the ‘why,’ they’ll be more compliant with medications and discharge plans and less likely to be readmitted to the hospital,” Alcantara added.
Whether it’s a nurse, physician, or physical therapist, Sentara is asking every member of the clinical care team to sit down when having a significant conversation with their patient and family.
“Patients don’t say, ‘I really loved that X-ray or that was the best MRI I’ve ever had.’ No, they say, ‘Wow, I really loved when they brought me a warm blanket or held my hand,’” said Kris Krause, a registered nurse at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center.
“They remember the little things that made them feel human, and sitting with them makes them feel seen. It’s huge.”
