Making the Most of Time

In last week's episode of EZ Conversations, I had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Michael Hession (Listen Here), a physician whose life was forever changed after a near-death experience caused by pneumonia. What struck me most was how this experience transformed his identity—not only as a medical professional, but also as a human being forced to confront his vulnerability.

Dr. Hession also opened up about the grief of losing both parents to cancer early in life, a trauma that shaped his deep understanding of loss, mortality, and healing. Through these trials, he has come to see compassion and empathy as essential—not only in hospice and palliative care, where he now focuses much of his energy—but also in all human connection.

Compassion in Healthcare: A Critical Ingredient

Throughout our conversation, Dr. Hession emphasized that physicians who lead with empathy and compassion often provide more meaningful care to their patients. This is not just a sentiment—it’s backed by robust scientific research.

A meta-analysis by Derksen et al. (2013) found that physician empathy is significantly associated with better patient outcomes, including greater satisfaction, increased adherence to treatment plans, and improved health markers. Similarly, a study by Trzeciak et al. (2019) concluded that compassion has a measurable impact on reducing patient anxiety, improving healing, and even decreasing healthcare costs through better communication and reduced errors.

These insights echo Dr. Hession’s call to return to the humanity of medicine—to see each patient not as a case but as a person, especially in the vulnerable settings of end-of-life care.

Near-Death Experiences and Perspective Shifts

Dr. Hession’s story also aligns with what research reveals about near-death experiences (NDEs). Studies show that people who survive NDEs often experience a dramatic transformation in values, prioritizing relationships, compassion, and spiritual or existential meaning (Greyson, 2000). These individuals frequently report an enhanced sense of purpose and a decreased fear of death.

Such events appear to disrupt prior cognitive schemas, creating what psychologists call a “post-traumatic growth” process—where individuals report enhanced personal strength, a greater appreciation for life, and deeper relationships (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004).

Dr. Hession’s own shift from physician to patient exemplifies this transformation, offering a vivid reminder that illness can also be a doorway to meaning.

The Science of Gratitude and Well-being

As I reflected on my conversation with Dr. Hession, I couldn’t help but return to a recurring theme in my clinical work: the importance of gratitude. Many of my therapy sessions this week have centred on assisting clients to reframe their mindset—to pause and acknowledge the gifts they often overlook.

Research consistently supports this practice. Emmons and McCullough (2003) found that individuals who kept weekly gratitude journals experienced increased well-being, more positive emotions, and better physical health. More recent studies have shown that daily gratitude practices can enhance resilience, reduce depressive symptoms, and even improve sleep (Wood et al., 2010; Killen & Macaskill, 2015).

Gratitude enables us to redirect attention away from what is missing and toward what is meaningful. In doing so, we cultivate a mindset of sufficiency rather than scarcity—a key insight Dr. Hession also touched on.

What Are We Doing With the Time We Have?

Dr. Hession’s journey raises an essential question: What are we doing with the time we have? Many of us are caught in the constant pursuit of more—more achievement, more possessions, more accolades. But as we discussed, true fulfillment often lies in how we use what we already have—our time, our attention, and our ability to connect with others.

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to dismiss reflection, presence, and relational depth as luxuries. Yet they may be the very things that bring healing—not just to others, but to ourselves as well.

References:

• Derksen, F., Bensing, J., & Lagro-Janssen, A. (2013). Effectiveness of empathy in general practice: A systematic review. British Journal of General Practice, 63(606), e76–e84. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp13X660814

• Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377–389. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.2.377

• Greyson, B. (2000). Near-death experiences. In E. Cardeña, S. J. Lynn, & S. C. Krippner (Eds.), Varieties of anomalous experience: Examining the scientific evidence (pp. 315–352). American Psychological Association.

• Killen, A., & Macaskill, A. (2015). Using a gratitude intervention to enhance well-being in older adults. Journal of Happiness Studies, 16(4), 947–964. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-014-9542-3

• Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual foundations and empirical evidence. Psychological Inquiry, 15(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327965pli1501_01

• Trzeciak, S., Roberts, B. W., & Mazzarelli, A. J. (2019). Compassionomics: The revolutionary scientific evidence that caring makes a difference. Studer Group.
  

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