While the United States ranks as the international leader in biomedical research, one doesn’t have to look far to find complaints about the quality of healthcare in the United States. From service users to the Institute of Medicine, a universal cry has gone out for more compassionate, person-centered care. In short, people want to be heard and understood by their providers. They want their visits to start out with the two simple questions posed by Mitch Kaminski: What are your goals for your care? How can I help you? However, these questions can’t be asked in a vacuum. They have to be asked within a continuous, healing relationship that focuses not just on disease and illness, but strengths and wellness.
I made excuses for over two years before allowing my male primary care doctor to complete a thorough physical exam. He turned down my request to be examined by a female physician. Over time I agreed to be examined by my male doctor because I was afraid of being branded as too demanding and unreasonable.
Just this past month, a landmark class action lawsuit was filed to address the pervasive public health problem of childhood trauma. Filed by Public Counsel, the lawsuit seeks to mandate the integration of trauma-informed practices in schools in Compton, CA.
Schools in every corner of the United States serve children who have experienced homelessness or are currently homeless. Nearly 2.5 million children are now homeless in our country each year—that’s one out of thirty children. Children in our schools have lived on the streets, in cars, and in motels. They’ve moved in and out of crowded emergency shelters. They've experienced severe violence, abuse, neglect, and hunger. Traumatic events like these occur before or during homelessness, or too often both.
