WRNMMC, Bethesda, Md. –
More than 100 Walter Reed staff members attended Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s first of its kind “Human Experience Re-imagined” training course, concluding the third training day on Jan. 31.
The course was designed and facilitated through the Chief Experience Office, a first within the Military Health System. The newly launched monthly course kicked off with five sessions offered between Jan. 18 and Jan. 31.
According to Walter Reed’s Chief Experience Officer, Brigid Herrick, the course, currently available to Walter Reed medical support assistants (MSAs) and front desk staff, shifts focus to improving both the experiences of health care workers and beneficiaries. The interactive, classroom-styled sessions allow staff to share their personal motivations for working in health care, while also enhancing their empathy and communication skills.
“The benefit of attending this course for staff is that they gain a new sense of value and empowerment,” said Herrick. “For our beneficiaries, this means more positive and smooth interactions throughout their health care journey.”
Herrick continued, “The human experience in health care is all interactions that include patients, care partners, and the health care workers.”
Currently, the Human Experience Re-imagined course is being offered to all MSA’s, with plans to open it up to other Walter Reed staff members.
“We want everyone to benefit from this experiential learning opportunity focused on improving the health care delivery experience,” shared Amy O’Connor, project manager of the Chief Experience Office.
Both Herrick and O’Connor shared that the positive early reviews from MSA’s and front desk staff, underscore their recommendation for widespread implementation, prompting an ecstatic announcement, “Due to popular demand, we’ve added four new course dates for February,” said Herrick.
Launching the Human Experience Re-imagined course is a testament to Walter Reed’s continued commitment to ensuring the best staff-patient interaction.