The Transformative Power of Relationships: Community as Medicine
Discover the transformative impact of relationships, community, and connection on health and wellbeing through a captivating conversation with Elizabeth Markle, PhD, co-founder and executive director of Open Source Wellness.
So many individuals and organizations are doing impactful, relational work, and we are pleased to expand our interview series beyond the Intend Health community to explore the work of others who also focus on the foundational power of relationships and human connection as driving forces of better healthcare and health. We were thrilled to welcome Elizabeth Markle as a keynote speaker at the Relational Leadership Convening in October and to delve into the work of Open Source Wellness in this interview.
Watch the video:
Matt Lewis, Narrative Leadership expert and consultant with Intend Health Strategies, and Sarah Smithson of Intend Health spoke with Dr. Markle about Open Source Wellness and the organization's unique approach to health and wellbeing. Together, they explored challenges within the traditional healthcare system, the urgency around addressing social isolation, and Community as Medicine™, Open Source Wellness’ equity-driven group coaching model designed to support people as they learn to make and meet their health and wellbeing goals — while experiencing profound human connection.
Traditional Healthcare and the Unintentional Creation of Shame
Dr. Markle began by addressing the unintentional creation of shame in healthcare settings as a consequence of a system designed to uphold privacy, emphasizing the need for a heart-centered approach to inspire real transformation.
"Just telling people to get better, or do better, or work harder is not the answer that people actually need. To be moved, to create transformation in their health, in their lives, in their workplace. … That's a movement of the heart."
In a challenge to the prevalent notion that more information is the key to health transformation, Dr. Markle emphasized the power of human connection as the driving force behind individuals' desire to be healthier. Delving into the relational aspects of health goals can bring us closer to the deeper motivations that inspire transformative change.
"Lack of information is rarely the bottleneck for most people now around health transformation, and for most people, what they actually care about deep down is other human beings."
Social Isolation: Community as the Cornerstone of Wellbeing
Dr. Markle highlighted the urgent need to address social isolation and its detrimental impact on overall health. Drawing parallels with upstream medicine and its exploration of downstream health consequences, she called for a new conversation about "psychological upstreamism." This concept urges a shift towards addressing the psychological roots of health challenges, particularly the shame that can result in trying to address those challenges in an environment of social disconnection and isolation.
“Social isolation is across the board predictive of human suffering. We haven't necessarily gotten around to really designing our systems as though we know that's true. … It's sort of tossed around as ‘this is a fact so don't be isolated,’ but we haven't really mobilized effectively, at scale, to generate human connectedness.”
As we navigate the complex landscape of healthcare, Dr. Markle and Open Source Wellness advocate for a transformative approach that places community at the forefront of wellbeing. Their commitment to Community as Medicine™ serves as an inspiration, challenging the status quo and fostering a new narrative where meaningful relationships become the cornerstone of a healthier, more connected society.
To learn more about Open Source Wellness, watch Elizabeth Markle's Community as Medicine TEDx Talk.
Explore related articles:
Explore how community and connection impact health and wellbeing in a discussion with Elizabeth Markle, PhD, cofounder of Open Source Wellness.
"These moments, of taking what you learn to work more effectively, make Relational Leadership powerful. It's not just theory. It's practical language, practical tools that you can quickly try on for size.”
Cally Johnson
Director of Operational Excellence, OCHIN
"Thank you for inspiring a generation of future docs to become primary care physicians. I definitely felt like I had a community during medical school."
Shani Truong
Family Medicine Resident, UC Davis San Joaquin General Hospital
"In a healthcare system fraught with silos and computer screens, we need the human voice — a personal connection — now more than ever. That's the work of Intend Health."
Matt Lewis, PhD
Strategic Consultant
"The leadership skills, relationships, and perspective I have gained through my involvement in Intend Health have shaped the clinician, educator, and leader I am today."
Kyle Turner, PharmD
University of Utah
"I think the collaborative work that Intend Health does to recruit bright, energized, resilient, diverse, and compassionate primary care physicians all over the country will be even more impactful. Intend Health's efforts will be a big part of the solution to mend our ailing primary care infrastructure in the coming years."
Peter Meyers, MD, MPH
Family Physician, Minnesota Community Care
“A big impact that Intend Health has on me is it makes me more humble, kinder, more intuitive, a better listener, and I’ve been able to teach the skills I’ve learned to others. All of this makes me a better team member, and I think that that's integral to what Intend Health teaches — we need high functioning teams to provide the best care.”
Student Action Network Participant
“So far, my experience in this Relational Leadership course has been THE highlight of my leadership journey. This program exceeded my expectations. I have been sharing the content with my colleagues who are also inspired by it. Thank you for making the world a better place one Relational Leadership course at a time.”
Relational Leadership for Clinician Leadership Program Participant
OCHIN
"This year, there's been so much change with COVID, with work, with everything. But I feel like the PCP Student Action Network has been that constant that I could always just count on. And my favorite part is that no matter how stressful work was, no matter how stressful the year was, whenever it came time for a PCP call or any PCP anything, it's always something that I look forward to."
Student Action Network Coach
“Over 100 members of the UNC community have participated in our Relational Leadership Institutes … one word stands out for me in our evaluations — regardless of whether cohorts met in person or via Zoom — and that word is transformative."
Josh Hinson, MSW, LCSW
Assistant Professor University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work
“I participated in RLI [the Relational Leadership Institute]... and my world has not been the same since. The community that I’ve gained at RLI has been extraordinary. Being part of RLI means being connected to a diverse, interdisciplinary community that breaks down the walls that are typical in academic medicine.”
Katie Gradick, MD, MHS
University of Utah
“Relational skills are particularly important right now because they’re rooted in people, with the fundamental assumption that we are good and have common values. If I can approach with unconditional positive regard and build in psychological safety, who knows what we can accomplish, despite the chaos around us.”
Lexy Kliewer, LCSW
Oregon Health and Science University
“Relational Leadership is what keeps me going. When I feel overwhelmed, stressed, down, I turn to members of the Relational Leadership community for support and resilience. We genuinely care about each other. We put ‘people first,’ truly, in our work together.”
Sarah Smithson, MD, MPH
Assistant Dean for Clinical Education University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
%2004.webp)