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 "To know and understand...is a
dimension of being scientific… to be known and
understood is a dimension of caring and being
cared for"(George
Engel). This website and program, also called
Hygeia® (after the Greek goddess of health and
healing), concerns the human dimension of
healthcare and uses new technologies to share age-old
feelings and lessons. In an age of advanced medical
technologies and changing paradigms in health care,
Hygeia® strives to assure that as benefits of these
technologies are fully realized, their expanding sphere
of influence does not disenfranchise the patient,
depersonalize the physician-patient relationship.
Obstetrics in 2012 is a paradigm for safe,
patient-focused care. Families achieve optimally healthy
maternal and newborn outcomes in an atmosphere of
effective healthcare provider communications, a shared
decision-making process between and among clinicians and
nurses (teamwork) and evidenced / experientially based
practices all occurring within a milieu of consistent
and compassionate care which generates trust, the
hallmark of the doctor-patient relationship. When
unexpected outcomes do occur and /or technology fails to
achieve its intended purpose, there must be avenues to
foster understanding, administer compassion and promise
hope. This
is the human dimension of healthcare; this is Hygeia®
Michael R. Berman, M.D. FACOG
Founder and President, Hygeia®
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