“I was lucky enough to receive some grateful patient messages, which made me feel deeply honored and really appreciated.”
Audrie Chavez, MD, MPH, Rehabilitation Medicine
Like many of us, healthcare professionals often feel the effects of long hours and stress. Workplace burnout, however, has a new prescription as simple as it is meaningful: gratitude. The impact of a sincere expression of thanks can uplift both the giver and recipient of those warm wishes. What’s more, the health benefits of these “warm and fuzzy” sentiments are backed by scientific evidence.
“Gratitude interventions” have been specifically studied among healthcare professionals and found to have a positive influence on mental health and decrease burnout symptoms. By both giving and receiving gratitude, you activate the brain’s reward system. According to the American Brain Foundation, feeling and expressing gratitude releases hormones and neurotransmitters that have tangible physical and mental health benefits.
"Gratitude could be thought of as a way for the brain to encourage kindness toward others and motivate individuals to engage in socially conscious behavior."
American Brain Foundation
More than just releasing “feel-good chemicals,” gratitude triggers changes in various brain regions that counteract the stress-induced "fight-or-flight" response. Increased gray matter (the brain’s “thinking” center) was even observed in a study of people who reported higher levels of gratitude.
The health and wellness benefits of expressing gratitude are extensive, ranging from reducing stress and anxiety to enhancing focus, immunity, and sleep quality. These benefits only increase as gratitude becomes a daily practice, improving your overall physical and emotional well-being.
Express Your Gratitude
The healthcare teams at UT Health San Antonio are grateful for the opportunity to make lives better in the communities we serve and are inspired by the notes of gratitude they receive — reminders of their commitment to providing the best care for every patient they encounter.
Sometimes it's small stuff in the clinic. Sometimes it's big surgeries, but when we hear from patients about how they're getting back into their regular lives and doing the things that they like to do, that just makes our time here much more impactful and meaningful.
Jason Coffman, MD, Orthopaedics
Gratitude, in itself, is one of the most accessible ways to recognize exceptional care, helping build a healthier, more connected community. The Grateful Patient Program at UT Health San Antonio provides a meaningful way to express your thanks for a caregiver who has made a difference in your life. Sharing a story is a way to honor your caregiver and recognize the exceptional and compassionate care provided on your journey to better health.
Through this initiative, a heartfelt note to a doctor who went the extra mile or a nurse who offered comfort during difficult times can have an impact that extends beyond the initial recipient, reinforcing the compassionate care that defines our shared mission to make lives better in San Antonio and across South Texas.
