Kindness and Kinship

The origin of the adjective and noun ‘kind’ have the same derivation as ‘kin’. It suggests a link now and over time between groups, being ‘of a kind’ (Phillips 2010). There are natural responsibilities to each other which might most easily be recognised in families or communities such as those from the same social, cultural, religious, or linguistic background.

“The word ‘kindness’ indicates the quality or state of being kind. It describes a condition in which people recognise their nature, know and feel that this is essentially one with their kin, understand and feel their interdependence, feel responsibility for their successors and express all this in attitudes and actions towards each other.” (Ballatt 2020).

Kindness is more than sentiment. It is linked to compassion (suffering with), sympathy (fellow feeling) and agape (neighbourly love). It is difficult and requires work, commitment, replenishment and overcoming self-interest.

The development of the National Health Service in the UK in 1947-8 can be seen as an example of national kinship. The feeling was of a shared need, especially after the recent war, a shared interest, and shared solutions.

However, we understand kinship and kindness can also come at a cost to the individual as well as resulting in individual, community, or national benefits. We will explore how important it is to understand and acknowledge the cost to the individual and develop a system within which they can thrive.

Whereas in a family or community kinship may develop over a lifetime and be rooted in history, in the healthcare setting people from all different backgrounds and communities are brought together with their link being caring for patients and each other. We will look at how we can develop and enhance kinship and where there may be challenges to this.

Kinship is not always inclusive. In healthcare there can be divides between community and hospital, between professions, specialities, health care workers and patients, and those from different social backgrounds. Groups can grow and develop to be exclusive and thereby exclude individuals and other groups. Understanding and having an awareness of this is vital so the barriers between groups can be reduced to enhance the safety of patients, families and healthcare workers.

References

Ballat J, Campling P, Maloney C. Intelligent Kindness – Rehabilitating the Welfare State. Cambridge University Press 2020.

Phillips A, Taylor B. On Kindness. Penguin Books 2010.

Frain A, Murphy S, Frain J. ABC of Clinical Resilience. Oxford: Wiley, 2021.

Weinman J, Ebrecht M, Scott S et al. Enhanced wound healing after emotional disclosure intervention. British Journal of Health Psychology. 2008 13. 95-102. www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk