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Kintsugi Medicine in the Veterans Health Administration: Learning from those who served and suffered
Through my own experiences as both physician-scientist and patient, the book develops a fundamental concept: illness and the suffering that it causes can be an opportunity for spiritual growth and wisdom. Therefore, patients should not simply be pitied or regarded as broken and in need of fixing. Instead, the opportunity in patients of posttraumatic growth should be recognized and promoted. I call this "Kintsugi medicine", after the ancient Japanese art of mending broken ceramic pottery with golden lacquer to create a piece that is beautify despite being imperfect.
testimonials
Personal Stories
Just finished the book. Thank you for your transparency and so adeptly representing the ebb and flow of sickness and health; and the brilliance within our VA system and the patients it serves
Read more...Anonymous (Physician)
I am really enjoying reading this book to the point that I would like to slow down to keep the joy going! After each chapter I want to reach out to the author to express my gratitude. The book should be highly recommended by all VA managers to their employees. To read it after a bad, stressful day at work. It gives VA employees a huge pride to be part of the system.
Read more...Anonymous (VA Nurse)
When I saw the title of the book, I assumed that the content referred mainly to doctors and nurses. Curious as I am as a journalist by profession, I immediately started reading it. And I must confess that I went through it without a stop. This book, it's not only interesting for everyone, but most importantly is a very useful tool of support and help for patients, relatives, doctors, all those working in hospitals and clinics, and other professionals who help people in need. I am not exaggerating to say that the book turned to become for me a gift from God, because it came to my hands in a very critical moment for my family, when a family member wan in the Intensive Care Unit, facing a very severe health problem. With this book in mind, I now feel that I am in a better position to hold her hand and speak to her about all those people who were in a more critical situation but managed to successfully face all their problems. It seems that nothing in life happens without a reason.
Read more...Anonymous (Journalist)
I just finished George Ioannou’s book Kintsugi Medicine about his experiences in the VA system, as well as his personal road to healing. It was very powerful to have experienced all of that to conquer and overcome it and use your experience as a means to become a better physician. I found myself engrossed in it because I had similar experiences. It is not easy for us physicians to come out and talk about what illness has cost us. Many colleagues lack the empathy as the medical profession transforms into a business model and physician autonomy is lost. What helped me move forward then was my faith in God and the love of my spouse. I especially liked Chapter 26, the healing steps
Read more...Anonymous (Physician)
About the author
Dr. George Ioannou
I'm Dr. George Ioannou, a Hepatology expert at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System and a Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle. I am passionate about improving the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of chronic liver disease through my research and patient care. I believe that the concept of Kintsugi medicine can transform the patient-doctor relationship and the way the public views illness and disability
Disclaimer - The book and website do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs
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Just finished the book. Thank you for your transparency and so adeptly representing the ebb and flow of sickness and health; and the brilliance within our VA system and the patients it serves
Anonymous (Physician)
I am really enjoying reading this book to the point that I would like to slow down to keep the joy going! After each chapter I want to reach out to the author to express my gratitude. The book should be highly recommended by all VA managers to their employees. To read it after a bad, stressful day at work. It gives VA employees a huge pride to be part of the system.
Anonymous (VA Nurse)
When I saw the title of the book, I assumed that the content referred mainly to doctors and nurses. Curious as I am as a journalist by profession, I immediately started reading it. And I must confess that I went through it without a stop. This book, it's not only interesting for everyone, but most importantly is a very useful tool of support and help for patients, relatives, doctors, all those working in hospitals and clinics, and other professionals who help people in need. I am not exaggerating to say that the book turned to become for me a gift from God, because it came to my hands in a very critical moment for my family, when a family member wan in the Intensive Care Unit, facing a very severe health problem. With this book in mind, I now feel that I am in a better position to hold her hand and speak to her about all those people who were in a more critical situation but managed to successfully face all their problems. It seems that nothing in life happens without a reason.
Anonymous (Journalist)
I just finished George Ioannou’s book Kintsugi Medicine about his experiences in the VA system, as well as his personal road to healing. It was very powerful to have experienced all of that to conquer and overcome it and use your experience as a means to become a better physician. I found myself engrossed in it because I had similar experiences. It is not easy for us physicians to come out and talk about what illness has cost us. Many colleagues lack the empathy as the medical profession transforms into a business model and physician autonomy is lost. What helped me move forward then was my faith in God and the love of my spouse. I especially liked Chapter 26, the healing steps
Anonymous (Physician)
The book emerged organically through my work as a physician in the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system for the last 20 years. I explains why I believe the VA healthcare system is the best-performing, most innovative, comprehensive healthcare system in the world and the crown-jewel of the US federal government. It describes interactions with my VA patients who educated me through their personal examples of coping with severe illness and adversity with grace, courage and dignity. My admiration for America's heroes is unconditional and the debt of gratitude I owe them unpayable.
DISCLAIMER
This book represents the author’s own personal views and does not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs.The patient stories reported in this book are fictional and do not represent real patients or people. Each story was inspired by elements from many different patients and their stories, which the author combined and further edited for confidentiality to create completely fictional characters and episodes.
COMPENSATION
The book is priced on Amazon such that the author receives no royalties or compensation when someone purchases the book from Amazon.The book is available for free on Apple’s iBooks, which enables listing books for free.
DISCLAIMER
This book represents the author’s own personal views and does not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs.The patient stories reported in this book are fictional and do not represent real patients or people. Each story was inspired by elements from many different patients and their stories, which the author combined and further edited for confidentiality to create completely fictional characters and episodes.
COMPENSATION
The book is priced on Amazon such that the author receives no royalties or compensation when someone purchases the book from Amazon.The book is available for free on Apple’s iBooks, which enables listing books for free.