Lessons on caring: wisdom from patients who changed us.

Authors

Rachel Rusch, Gitanjli Arora, Akilah Burford, Ira Byock, Heather Bemis, Heather Coats, Paul Galchutt, Tamryn Fowler, Richard E Leiter, Tricia Mamer, Jared Rubenstein, William E Rosa, Allison Silverstein

Published in

BMJ supportive & palliative care. Jul 30, 2026. Epub Jul 30, 2026.

Abstract

In the sacred spaces of serious illness, dying and bereavement, patients and families are our greatest teachers. In this feature, we reflect on lessons drawn from years of work in palliative medicine, integrating bedside experiences, practical guidance and narrative reflections to illuminate how, by serving others, we too are changed. The lessons are additionally grounded in literature stemming from clinical experience and interprofessional scholarship. This report foregrounds lived experience as a source of clinical knowledge, encouraging human-centred practice. Offered with gratitude to the patients and families who entrust us with their stories, this report is intended as both a reflective guide and a teaching tool for clinicians seeking to practise with greater humility, presence and intention.

PMID:
42532670
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 31 Jul 2026.

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