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Kindness in Higher Education: NHCOE Director’s Groundbreaking Study on Fostering Compassion

A recent study published in the journal PLOS ONE by Dr. Kanoho Hosoda, Director of the Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence (NHCOE) at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, highlights the significance of kindness in higher education, particularly in light of widespread burnout among health professionals.

Objectives of the Study

The study aims to define and measure kindness using established metrics. Dr. Hosoda outlined the objective of clarifying the concept of kindness and providing specific practices for its implementation.

Characterization of Kindness

In her research, kindness is characterized as “actions that affirm dignity and social inclusion,” with a focus on ten specific metrics: Benefit of Doubt, Autonomous, Apologized to, Understood, Recognized, Included, Treated Fairly, Acknowledged, Safe, and Accept Identity. These metrics were designed to address microaggressions and macroaggressions by fostering dignity-affirming actions.

Survey Insights

To gather insights, Dr. Hosoda conducted a survey involving 182 diverse members of higher education, exploring their experiences related to the ten essential elements of dignity throughout their academic journeys. Dr. Hosoda emphasized the necessity for individuals in academic settings to adopt these elements to create a kinder environment.

Efforts for Inclusivity

Dr. Hosoda, who assumed her role as NHCOE Director earlier in the year, acknowledged the ongoing efforts of staff and faculty to promote an inclusive and safe environment for students. She recognized her colleagues’ contributions to developing learning communities that support students in navigating challenging academic experiences.

Principal Investigator Role

Additionally, Dr. Hosoda serves as the Principal Investigator for a National Institutes of Health K99 grant, which focuses on the integration of multicultural identity and its impact on well-being and persistence in biomedical career pathways. This role reflects her awareness of the complexities within higher education.

Implications for Medical Education

The findings of the study suggest that instilling kindness in medical education could yield lasting benefits, with expectations that these values will be reflected in future clinical practices. Dr. Hosoda made connections to traditional Hawaiian values, asserting that kindness is a fundamental aspect of the broader spirit of ALOHA, which encompasses unity, agreeableness, humility, and patience.

Future Goals

Looking ahead, Dr. Hosoda intends to integrate these kindness metrics into annual evaluations, promotions, and tenure criteria with the goal of fostering a culture of kindness within the John A. Burns School of Medicine and the wider community in Hawaii. She expressed an aspiration for individual growth among students, faculty, and staff, emphasizing the transformative potential of kindness to enhance overall well-being beyond conventional medical practice.

(Source: University news release)

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