There has been recent research into what makes an efficient hospital that is also beneficial to patients.

In the past the studies were based on what is the matter with you? It always focused on the health of the patient and what was wrong with them.

It was concerned with what was the best way that the hospital and medical professionals could fix things.

New research is asking a different question. It asks what matters to you? The results are interesting because what matters to the patient is quite different from the concerns of the health administrators. They had been concerned with efficiency, timing, medical health and routines.

Some patients told the simple things that matter to them like having the staff knock before entering the room, having the staff greet them with a smile and it was important that the medical procedures were explained clearly to them.

I thought this research was relevant and helpful.

Have you heard people ask what is the matter with you in a frustrating and slightly angry way?

I have and before I can answer they may say "What have you got to complain about? You are so lucky. You should be grateful you aren't really sick."

What if someone asked you what matters to you?

Sometimes it may not be the question but the fact that someone has actually asked you.

The answer may be as simple as a hug or, it may be you just want to have your mood/illness acknowledged.

What matters to you right now might not matter to you tomorrow. I found it important that someone is asking and someone is ready to listen.

What do you think?

Would it help you if the question changed from what is the matter with you to what matters to you?

Leah

A Moodscope member