Despite the simplicity of the this ad, there is something about it that resonates strongly with me every time I watch it.
It shows three icons of Irish rugby (Paul O’Connell, Brian O’Driscoll and Jonathan Sexton) asking house owners permission to play, and for volunteers to join them in a game of tip-rugby on the grassy area in front of their homes.
The ad spot was created to evoke the close bond between Irish Rugby players and their supporters at a time when the Irish team were heading off to the Rugby World cup in far away New Zealand.
Despite their speed, power and sporting reputations, these men demonstrate a childlike playfulness, humility, politeness, and humour which makes them instantly more human, likeable and accessible.
Those looking to engage better with patients in healthcare should think about the power of just being nice…..
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Great post Ronan, There still appears to be a small core of ‘old school’ medic’s who speak down to their patients and communicate poorly. Thankfully a dying breed.
Ralph
Ralph, I am afraid it is not a dying breed in our part of the world. It’s the majority, helas..
It cuts both ways – no pun intended. Doctors must get tired of seeing miserable trouts all day. A smile goes a long way, I find, and a bit of small talk helps join the doctor patient gap for sure.
I have not yet met a heartfully smiling doctor.. The few smiles I have seen are frozen professional masks. Tracey rightly comments that a smile, a real one, goes a long way
Thanks to both of you for commenting. I’m inclined to agree with you Tracey. Being nice works both ways. It also allows us all to get what we want from consultations more quickly and effectively.
Great, Ronan, you hit the nail on the head as usual so did Tracy
Hi there Sarah. Thanks for reading the blog. Good to see you on here!
Super comments… about twenty years ago I was on holiday in the Greek Islands. Halfway through the vacation I contracted a mild stomach virus which inevitably curtailed my… well, lets just call them ‘action packed’ evenings out. Having met a group of Irish student doctors a couple of nights before, I decided to ask one of them for medical advice. After carefully describing my symptoms, the baby faced doctor told me ‘You’re not drinking enough alcohol’. That night I went back out to the Taverna’s and Clubs of Ios and made, what can only be described as a heroic effort to cure my tortured innards. And of course, the junior M.D’s advice was spot on, I was completely cured and went on to enjoy my summer hols to the full. What became of this gifted medical genius with the ever ready smile and the warm, friendly bedside manner, I hear you ask. Well, the last time I heard, he was running a Rheumatology Clinic in the west of Ireland. As for me, I’m just coming out of my third stint in the Betty Ford Clinic!
Great post, love the sentiment ;-)