Health professionals are experiencing increased stress, isolation, and burnout that directly affect the quality and safety of patient care. To address these issues, one graduate health professions institution implemented Balint groups—structured reflective sessions focused on perspective-taking and the humanistic aspects of care. This article examines how Balint groups can be integrated into health professions education and employee wellness programs, including challenges and sustainability strategies. Outcomes included increased empathy, improved communication, reduced feelings of isolation, and renewed motivation, which help build resilience. Groups highlighted the importance of community formed through shared vulnerability and reflection facilitated by Balint—experiences often missing in fast-paced academic and clinical environments. By linking the well-being of health professional students, clinicians, and educators to patient experience, Balint groups can serve as an impactful approach to fostering a culture of reflection, compassion, and resiliency in the health professions. Establishing this culture early in students’ training creates a foundation for prioritizing the humanism of care alongside the technical skills needed for quality care delivery.

Late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) is a rare neuromuscular disorder, where delays in diagnosis can result in inconsistent patient management and suboptimal use of effective treatments, thereby increasing patient burden. We conducted an exploratory, cross-sectional survey of 20 adults with LOPD in the UK and USA, recruited via patient advocacy groups and vetted databases. Our results showed that patients with LOPD experienced substantial delays from symptom onset to diagnosis. Interactions with healthcare professionals (HCPs) were inconsistent, and LOPD awareness among HCPs was insufficient. Patients were generally satisfied with their treatment, with 90% of patients reporting mild to no discomfort with enzyme replacement therapy or other treatments. However, 60% of patients implemented various nonpharmacological therapies to manage pain or other aspects of LOPD. These exploratory findings highlight persistent gaps in diagnosis and care, emphasizing the need for improved HCP education and integrated support services.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been associated with reduced quality of life. However, few studies have explored patients’ accounts of its psychological impact. This patient-oriented qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of individuals with VTE to better understand its psychological impact and identify strategies to support patient well-being. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 individuals diagnosed with VTE. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Most participants described significant emotional and psychological challenges, including anxiety about recurrence and uncertainty around the cause and management of their condition. The use of anticoagulants often required lifestyle changes, influenced by concerns about bleeding. While early care was generally described as reassuring, many participants felt unsupported after discharge. For some, the end of acute treatment marked the beginning of new emotional struggles. Participants emphasized the need for care that continues beyond the acute phase and includes mental health support. These findings highlight the need for patient-centered VTE care that addresses both physical and psychological needs throughout the care journey.

Healthcare decision-making (DM) has shifted from a paternalistic model to shared DM, where professionals contribute with clinical expertise and patients share their values and preferences. Simultaneously, access to online health information influences how patients engage in decisions concerning care. This study examined perceived DM experiences during doctor's appointments and online health information-seeking among older adults and individuals with long-term conditions. A total of 736 Finnish respondents (mean age 68 years) completed an online survey. The Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire (SDM-Q-9-FIN) assessed involvement in clinical decisions. Most participants reported feeling involved, with a mean SDM-Q-9 score of 25.96/36. Longer appointment duration (β = .50, P < .001), higher education attainment, and better health status were positively associated with perceived involvement. Adherence to treatment also enhanced DM experiences. Nearly half (48.6%) did not seek online health information before appointments. Respondents from patient associations reported more frequent information-seeking. The findings suggest that adequate consultation time and tailored communication can enhance DM. Support should be prioritized for patients with lower health status or limited health literacy.

Surveillance for long-term complications in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) presently relies on outpatient visits. Self-monitoring is increasingly being utilised to reduce the burden of care. This study explores the experiences of ACHD patients undertaking self-monitoring using wearable technology. A prospective observational cohort study was undertaken with ACHD patients across the United Kingdom. A CardiacSense watch recording vital signs and user-initiated electrocardiograms (ECGs) was sent to participants via post. Watch activity was monitored, and participants completed a postmonitoring questionnaire. Fifty-three individuals were screened. Thirty-three eligible participants were sent watches, and 24 (75% female, median age 44.5 years) completed the study. Participants wore watches for 12.3 days (range 1.6-29.8). Younger age was associated with shorter duration of watch-wearing (R = 0.413, P = .05), and men tended to record more ECGs than women (P = .009). Factors affecting engagement included comfort, digital literacy, and reported levels of anxiety and depression. ACHD engaged well with self-monitoring. Several factors, such as age, comorbidities, and digital literacy, influenced patient participation. Recommendations, grounded in patient experience, are suggested to ensure optimal adoption of self-monitoring in this population.

As healthcare systems grapple with simultaneous challenges of patient engagement, access for services, and growing clinician burnout, we share an approach to quality improvement focused on equipping integrated care teams with methods for proactive insight and action to manage patients. This approach offers a way to deliver outcomes that value-based care arrangements look to achieve, and which can alleviate clinician burnout and improve satisfaction across care teams. We illustrate our experience with a program managing patients with sickle cell disease in Southeast Pennsylvania that has delivered improved outcomes, including improvements around the provision of important medication therapies and completion of annual screening tests, for a population that historically faces many health inequities. These tools and workflows are still widely in use today. Improving the care of a patient longitudinally requires an approach across the continuum of care and inevitably requires a team-based model with a multidisciplinary emphasis to better engage patients outside of office visits and relieve burden on frontline clinicians.

I never imagined my medical training would become my lifeline, but not in the way I expected. While balancing my work as a pediatrician with raising twin daughters, I developed sudden hearing loss in my right ear, followed by tinnitus, dizziness, and pressure. Initial evaluations led to a diagnosis of Ménière's disease, an inner ear disorder that can cause progressive hearing loss and recurrent vertigo. Despite strict adherence to treatment, my condition worsened. Multiple brain scans noted a low position of the cerebellar tonsils, but this was not considered abnormal. A chance conversation eventually led to the correct diagnosis: spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), a rare condition caused by cerebrospinal fluid leakage along the spine. Without the typical orthostatic headache, my presentation was unusual. Several epidural blood patches brought only temporary relief. Over the next 2 years, I traveled abroad multiple times for targeted treatments at a specialized center. This experience revealed systemic gaps, including limited awareness of SIH, lack of recognition of atypical presentations, and barriers to accessing specialized care. It reinforced my belief that early diagnosis depends on both clinical curiosity and patient advocacy.

Tribal communities face barriers to care. This is especially true for American Indian Alaskan Native children needing pediatric-subspecialty care. We created a new pediatric rheumatology hybrid clinic using telemedicine to enhance access. A combination of telemedicine clinics and face-to-face clinics onsite at the Northern Navajo Medical Center was offered. The new clinic reduced the wait time for care for pediatric rheumatology conditions by 95%.

The journey through breast cancer treatment is often complicated and can involve major surgeries and long-term hormone-altering treatment. Research indicates that nearly 50% of women with early breast cancer experience depression, anxiety, or both in the year after diagnosis. Despite the well-documented mental health impact, access to behavioral health services during breast cancer care varies greatly based on the treatment center. My patient experience highlights missed opportunities, a lack of depression and suicide screening, behavioral health access barriers, and ultimately, the positive impact of adding mental healthcare. A trauma-informed, validating, and compassionate approach to breast cancer care with integration of behavioral health is a critical component to enhancing patient quality of life, improving treatment adherence, and reducing recurrence and mortality.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is often clinically associated with sexually transmitted infections, which can overshadow a broader differential diagnosis. This patient perspective explores the emotional and clinical consequences of an emergency department visit where assumptions about sexual activity delayed appropriate treatment and resulted in family conflict. As a college student from a conservative cultural background, I was disbelieved when disclosing that I had never been sexually active, and my worsening condition was attributed to denial rather than medical nuance. This piece underscores the importance of approaching patient narratives with cultural humility and avoiding premature diagnostic closure. Recommendations are made for improving history-taking, provider training, and restoring patient trust.