As patients and their families seek ways to express their gratitude for exceptional care, clinicians are helping to guide these acts of appreciation into meaningful contributions that benefit the broader community.

When Dr Peter Hwang Ying Khai, Senior Consultant in the Department of Neurosurgery at the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI), was approached to participate in NNI's Grateful Patients' Programme, he wasn't entirely sure what to expect. As a seasoned clinician, Dr Hwang had spent years focusing on the clinical care and well-being of his patients. However, the notion that he could further contribute to his patients' journey by fostering a philanthropic spirit was an eye-opening concept.

Clinicians often receive expressions of gratitude from their patients—sometimes in the form of a simple thank you or a handwritten note. Traditionally, these gestures have been received with humility and an assurance that the patient's well-being is the only reward a doctor seeks. But, as Dr Hwang learnt through his involvement with the Grateful Patients' Programme, these tokens of appreciation can carry a deeper potential into the realm of philanthropy.

Philanthropy, when intertwined with healthcare, must be approached with great care and sensitivity. There is a fine line between encouraging support for a cause and inadvertently creating a sense of obligation or expectation. For clinicians like Dr Hwang, the goal is not to solicit funds, but to provide an avenue for grateful patients to express their gratitude in a meaningful way, should they wish to do so. This approach ensures that any philanthropic engagement is patient-centred and arises naturally from a desire to give back.

The Grateful Patients' Programme at NNI exemplifies this delicate balance. It is a partnership initiative that brings together clinicians and the Development Team to identify potential donors among grateful patients. The programme is designed to support the institution's priority needs, such as funding for research, furthering education and improving patient care. What sets this initiative apart is its emphasis on the patients' voluntary participation. It is a gentle invitation, not an expectation, allowing patients to contribute in a way that aligns with their values and experiences.

Dr Hwang's journey through the programme equipped him with the insights and tools to navigate these conversations with sensitivity and respect. One of his patients, Jason*, had been under Dr Hwang's care for several years and was profoundly appreciative of the specialised surgical care he received. Initially, Jason expressed his gratitude with a box of chocolates, but he later sought a more impactful way to contribute.

When Jason inquired about how he could do more, Dr Hwang saw an opportunity—not for himself, but for the wider community of patients. He introduced Jason to the NNI Development Team, facilitating a connection that ultimately led to a philanthropic contribution to the NNI Fund. The fund, established in 2017, has been instrumental in supporting patient care, research, and education, driving advancements in the treatment of neurological conditions.

Reflecting on this experience, Dr Hwang shared, "Donations go a long way in helping us acquire cutting-edge medical technology, improve diagnosis and treatment options, and enhance the quality of care for patients with neurological conditions. I'm happy to do my bit in improving the lives of our patients and philanthropic funding serves as an added avenue to achieving our goal of delivering exceptional patient care."

His words underscore a crucial point: philanthropy in healthcare is not about financial transactions; it is about fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. By facilitating these connections, clinicians like Dr Hwang are not only improving individual patient outcomes but are also contributing to the broader mission of advancing medical care and research.

In the end, the clinician's role in philanthropy is not to seek out donors, but to build bridges of trust and understanding. When approached with authenticity and respect, these partnerships between clinicians and grateful patients can become powerful forces for good, ensuring that the gratitude felt by one patient can translate into benefits for many others. In this way, the Grateful Patients' Programme at NNI is not just a fundraising initiative—it is a testament to the enduring bonds formed through compassionate care.

*Pseudonym