Respect
Central to his personal and professional values is respect for others. For many years Len taught the Core Skills course to Occupational Therapy graduate students at the Washington University School of Medicine. He began each semester with a lecture on the importance of respect, because this is the most basic of health care practitioners’ core skills and values.
Although the intention of all health care practitioners is to respect and value their clients and patients, this is not always demonstrated as well as it could be.
When a person is in need of health-care services, he or she is already feeling vulnerable and often frightened. This is the time when respect is most important, reminding you that you are valued, important and necessary. Len’s first question to you will be, “How can I help you?” because he wants to signal that you are in charge of the relationship and are a fully competent person who deserves his respect. His focus with you will be on your empowerment, encouraging you to be goal oriented and fully responsible.
