Tools for patients and medical professionals
Going to the hospital for a test – and especially in case of a surgery – can be scary. Additionally, in case of actual surgery, anaesthesia will be involved. Things you have no control over as a patient will occur. Yet, there are small things that you certainly can influence, which will make a big difference.
This workshop will be based on case studies and will provide a set of practical tools for patients. In addition, the mindset during preparation for your medical procedure is pivotal not only for the procedure itself, but also for the (duration of the) recovery process. Becoming aware of this, and being in alignment with the medical team, is an added bonus.
Another important topic in this setting is the communication between the patient and the medical professional(s). Thinking styles differ from one individual to another, and are often magnified in stressful situations. The need to know all the details – or the need not to – is an example of the meta program specific – versus general -.
And then there is the – not to be underestimated – effect of language: having ‘no good news’ may have a completely different effect on the patient than having ‘bad news’.
This workshop will give you tools to help create a mindset that will support you – whether you’re a patient or a medical professional – in preparing for a medical procedure. Moreover, the communication and the language that you use, will make an enormous difference on all three stages of the procedure: prior to, during and on the recovery afterwards.
Maaike Heutink -Netherlands
Maaike started studying Medical Biology in 1989 and received her PhD in Physiology in 2003, and held jobs in university as well as in (pharma) industry. In 2008 she discovered the power of coaching. She did her NLP training in the Netherlands and in California at NLP University. In 2011 she did the Health Certification Training with Robert Dilts, Suzi Smith and Tim Hallbom and was able to connect her medical background to her experience as a coach.
In 2011 she underwent abdominal surgery, and was surprised how it was to be a patient: everything ‘happened to her’. A year later another surgery was scheduled, and she used her background, knowledge and experience to prepare herself: practically, physically and mentally. This time, the surgery ‘happened for her’: more relaxed, and with a positive and proactive attitude.
This is when she decided to share her knowledge with others, and started her website with regular blogs helping patients to prepare for their medical procedure. Her online coaching program will be available soon and she is currently writing her book ‘Relaxed under the Knife’.