Building Empathy by Understanding Patient Experience | Mark Doyle

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Mark Doyle, as we explore the vital role of empathy in healthcare and how truly understanding the patient experience can drive better outcomes for patients, professionals, and organisations alike.

Mark Doyle is the founder of the award-winning, immersive patient experience company A Life in a Day.  He began his professional life as an actor and has spent the past 20 years applying his creative expertise to develop innovative learning programs. A Life in a Day is a unique, 24-hour simulation that provides participants the opportunity to walk in the shoes of a person living with a specific condition or illness, revealing the profound impact it could have on their own physical, social, and emotional wellbeing.

In this episode, we dive into the challenges of embedding empathy at an organisational level, the importance of understanding the patient experience holistically, and the power of storytelling in driving meaningful change. Mark also offers practical advice for healthcare stakeholders and patients alike, and shares his vision for a future where empathy is at the heart of every healthcare journey.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Introductions
• 00:01:31 - The importance of empathy in healthcare
• 00:11:20 - Defining the holistic patient experience
• 00:20:49 - Mark’s journey from acting to healthcare
• 00:25:14 - The power of patient storytelling
• 00:27:50 - Experiencing ‘A Life in a Day’ of a patient
• 00:36:10 - Understanding the impact on carers and families 
• 00:42:28 - Co-creating simulations with patients and families
• 00:45:00 - Initiatives driving empathy in healthcare
• 00:48:38 - Mark’s long-term dream for empathy in healthcare
• 00:50:03 - Advice for embedding empathy in healthcare 
• 00:52:56 - Reflections with Caitlin and Clarinda

Resources & abbreviations 

• AI – Artificial Intelligence
• A Life in a Day
• Dementia Bus
• HTA – Health Technology Assessment
• MS – Multiple Sclerosis
• RSV – Respiratory Syncytial Virus
• VR – Virtual Reality

Have feedback or suggestions for us? We'd love to hear from you!
Website: notjustpatients.com
LinkedIn: Not Just Patients
Email: info@notjustpatients.com

Chapters

• 0:00 Introductions
• 1:31 The importance of empathy in healthcare
• 11:20 Defining the holistic patient experience
• 20:49 Mark’s journey from acting to healthcare
• 25:14 The power of patient storytelling
• 27:50 Experiencing ‘A Life in a Day’ of a patient
• 36:10 Understanding the impact on carers and families
• 42:28 Patient involvement in creating simulations
• 45:00 Initiatives driving empathy in healthcare
• 48:38 Mark’s long-term dream for empathy in healthcare
• 50:03 Mark’s advice for embedding empathy in healthcare
• 52:56 Reflections with Caitlin and Clarinda