Beyond the Medical Gaze: Practicing Psychologically Informed Healthcare

Beyond the Medical Gaze: Practicing Psychologically Informed Healthcare

Long-term health conditions (LTCs) affect one third of the global population and are associated with a heightened risk of depression, anxiety, medically related post-traumatic stress, diminished life satisfaction and self-esteem. Further, healthcare professionals face occupational challenges to their emotional health and wellbeing which can result in burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma, negatively impacting on patient care. Yet, current healthcare policy and practice poorly addresses psychological and emotional wellbeing, for patients or practitioners. Beyond the Medical Gaze provides an innovative and comprehensive framework for anyone working in healthcare practice, policy, or education grounded in the latest evidence base and the author's unique lifelong experiences, health advocacy, research, and psychology practice. The book embeds contemporary understanding in psychological and emotional health into healthcare practice grounded in the core principles of R.E.S.P.E.C.T; outlining the importance of R elational safety through compassion focused healthcare delivery, leadership and teams; E mpowerment by supporting self-management, healthcare literacy and by challenging disempowering aspects of healthcare; promoting the S oothing presence of caregivers across the healthcare journey; promoting P sychological safety (Polyvagal informed) by validating a normal response to adverse circumstances, incorporating coping strategies throughout healthcare delivery and by supporting wellbeing for healthcare staff; developing E nvironments that better support healing, recovery, rest and wellbeing; ensuring C ulturally sensitive healthcare provision that tackles ableism, recognizing health inequalities and intersectionality; and delivery of T rauma informed practice and environments. Reflective exercises, real life testimonials, case studies, examples of innovative practice and research, and handouts are incorporated throughout. A final chapter is provided for therapists working with people with LTCs or supporting healthcare teams. "This book takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the research evidence and multidisciplinary knowledge relating to psychologically informed health care. We travel through psychology, medicine, nursing, and, most importantly, we get to hear human stories from patients who have traveled through healthcare services. Liza Morton's work is important as it highlights the need for a shift in the culture of healthcare to address psychological well-being and safety alongside physical treatment." -- Dr. Lucy Bray, Professor of Child Health Literacy, Edge Hill University "Many of us enter the medical field with the goal of helping people through compassionate care. However, training is primarily focused on disease. Demanding healthcare environments risk burnout and compassion fatigue that may result in emotional distance between providers and those they care for. In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Morton reminds us, "Behind every step forward in medical progress lie countless human stories of people who must find the courage to live on the edge of medicine and often survival." It provides a map of how to walk with those affected to maintain recognition of their whole person. It will give healthcare professionals the courage to counter historical norms in medical education and practice." -- E Amin, MBChB, Associate Prof of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University of California, San Francisco "As a psychologist working with PTSD, suffering associated with LTCs is one of the most common difficulties faced by my clients. Dr Morton offers a deeply compassionate discussion that includes the complex needs of patients and medical professionals by focusing on the cultivation of relational safety within healthcare delivery. Through her own lived experience, professional expertise, polyvagal theory, and case examples she brings essential and transformational guidance that has the power to create lasting and meaningful change. It should be required reading for all medical professionals. It is a gift to patients looking for ways to advocate for healthcare rooted in the psychobiological wisdom inherent in us all." -- Dr. Arielle Schwartz, Clinical psychologist and author of The Complex PTSD Workbook and The Post-Traumatic Growth Guidebook "In this innovative and heroic work, Dr Morton mentors us on a journey of discovery and empathy into the world of living with LTCs. Her compelling storytelling weaves powerful patient narratives with a rigorous review of research. This tour de force doesn't just describe a better healthcare system; it starts us building one, providing the resources needed to support the emotional and relational well-being of patients, families, and providers alike. This isn't just another book about healthcare-it's a vital catalyst for change that will reshape how we think about, treat, and live with chronic illness. It isn't just recommended rea