Andrew Shaner, M.D.
Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Staff Psychiatrist, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Associate Director, Center of Excellence – Interprofessional-Academic – Homeless Patient-Aligned Care Team, VA West Los Angeles Healthcare Center
I am a psychiatrist interested in how all clinicians can remain humanistic—respectful, empathic, and compassionate—with patients suffering from complex behavioral and physical problems. At the VA, I serve on an interprofessional teaching team that provides both primary health care and mental health care to homeless veterans. With Dr. Fessler, we designed a compact set of techniques, summarized on a pocket card, and termed “The Humanism Pocket Tool.” It comprises techniques for interacting both with patients and team members, because staying compassionate requires a culture of humanism within the clinic.