How Humanization Addresses Medicine's Toughest Problems

Challenges and barriers in healthcare have been persistent for some time. Many would argue that what got left behind was compassion. However, new perspectives, technology, and collaboration are changing things. To discuss these topics, host Kevin Stevenson welcomed Dr. Summer Knight, author of Humanizing Healthcare and Managing Partner of Deloitte’s Life Sciences and Health Care practice. Dr. Knight has an impressive and diverse background. She began her career as a paramedic then became a physician. “I was practicing medicine, solving issues, and spending more time interacting with the state government,” she said. Those interactions led her to become the Chief Medical Officer for the State of Florida. She then launched digital healthcare companies, realizing the importance of technology in the future of care. She also worked with Signa and Aetna. Her goal now is to transform healthcare in a more humanized approach. “Patients are at the top of the pyramid, although we’re not really calling them this anymore. We call them clients because it elevates the respect,” Knight added. Humanization is the way to solve big problems in a meaningful way. Her life and perspective changed when her son was diagnosed with cancer. Through the experience, she built a strong support system and created a digital platform to share information from clinicians to family and friends. “The system did help break one barrier with physicians from different health systems talking to one another.” That led her to write Humanizing Healthcare. In the book, she describes the trends changing healthcare: consumerism, technology, and regulatory. It focuses on cultural changes, removing barriers, and the delivery of care. Knight and Stevenson also discussed the disruption of healthcare. While devastating, Knight does say there will be positive outcomes in the long run. “It’s forced adoption to virtual, and it’s been an accelerant for technology. It’s also forced interesting partnerships across silos and competitors.”