Kimberly Smith: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients?

Kimberly Smith: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients?

 
Why is it important to empower patients? Hematology-oncology nurse practitioner Kimberly Smith from Duke Health shares her approach to moving patients from a place of helplessness to becoming key players in powerful decisions.
 

 

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Transcript:

Kimberly Smith:

I empower my patients by giving them information, education. I try to educate each one of my patients, their family members. It’s very important to me, because I’ve been on that side. And I know how it is to be sitting there and not understanding anything that’s going on and not knowing where do I go from here, how is this treated, how is this person going to be managed, what can I do to help, and feeling helpless.

I want my patients and their families to always feel powerful. I want them to always feel like they are part of this team. Nobody’s just making decisions for them. They have a voice, and it is our job to advocate for them and help them strengthen their voice. That’s why it’s important to me.