changing hearts: the creation of a trans-disciplinary hospital-based team caring circle

Kaiser Permanente, Northern California

Caritas in ActionHow Caring Science informs and inspires KP caregivers and affirms our commitment to provide our

patients and their families exceptional care

Caritas Consortium 2013Changing Hearts:

The Creation of a Trans-disciplinary Hospital-based Team Caring Circle

Intent to Contribute Statement:

Purpose: The purpose of the project that focused on forming a trans-disciplinary caring circle is to create an

opportunity to gather as a team in sacred space and to learn through experiential engagement about the 10 Caritas

Processes™ in an effort to increase Caritas Literacy and team-building within the triad teams.

Project Description: Elements of the 10 Caritas Processes™ have been implemented into the culture of Utilization

Management/Social Services over the past two years. Emphasis has been on centering, sharing caring moments,

and the encouragement of self-care. A ‘Spa to Go’ basket was created to encourage self-care at work stations. This

year a mini-caring circle was formed to help plan for continued learning opportunities and the inclusion of the

physicians and social workers. The kick-off event was held July 20, 2012. Caring Science was the topic for the

monthly one-hour collaborative (mandatory) lunch meeting. Participants sat in a circle around a sacred space

created in the center of the room. The elements that comprise a Circle gathering were described. The video, Water,

Consciousness and Intent, was shown as the centering moment. While the participants ate their lunches, a brief

introduction on Caring Science was presented. Caritas Process #1™ on loving-kindness was introduced through an

expressive art collage activity themed around self-care. At the onset and end of the activity, each participant was

asked to share one word that symbolized self-care to them. WORDLEs were created and shared with the group for

each set of shared words. One physician leader shared a touching caring moment. The gathering ended with the

showing of the video, Free-Hug Campaign.

Changing Hearts: The Creation of a Trans-disciplinary Hospital-based Team Caring Circle

Con’t:

Project Outcome: There was a stellar turnout and participants seemed happy and much more relaxed by end of

the gathering. The post WORDLE demonstrates the use of warmer and caring words after the experiential

engagement in the art collage activity. Participants learned about self-care through experiencing a caring moment.

Several in the group (including physicians) wanted to share their collages. Participants have displayed their collages

at their work stations. A favorable NCAL Kaiser Intranet article was written about this event, which concluded: “The

brief break from a stressful work day demonstrated the connection between caring for oneself and caring for

others, and the power of focusing on the present” (Borba, 2012).


Keyword TAGs: Identifier

Consortium2013-July, Fresno, Poster, Caritas Coach, Patient Care Services

Education & Staff Dev, Self

Descriptor Healing Arts, Self-Care

1 Names as listed in Lotus Notes, otherwise personal e-mails indicated


Inspired Contributor(s) 1 : Nancy Anderson – Caritas Coach

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Service Area: Fresno

Medical Center: FRS

Affiliation:

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Year Shared: 2013

Venue: Caritas Consortium

Format: Poster

ID #: n/a

changing hearts: the creation of a trans-disciplinary hospital-based team caring circle

Health & Medicine