Andrew Shaner, M.D.

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.