Caring in Medicine

What is Caring?

The Kern National Network for character, caring and practical wisdom in Medicine (KNN) defines caring as: "A blend of practices, dispositions and motivations—attentiveness, responsibility, competency, responsiveness and engagement/citizenship—all aimed at ensuring that individuals and populations grow, develop and flourish as best they can."

We also recognize the following as key to this expansive definition of caring:

• It is situated in the context of relationships and built on acceptance of interdependence.
• It acknowledges inherent power imbalances but eschews dominance and seeks humility.
• Trust is a precondition for caring and is also generated in a reinforcing loop.
• Caring is mutually beneficial and rewarding.
• Standards and aspirational qualities are embedded in practices of caring, and practitioners strive to continually improve their efforts.
  
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The following caring references have informed the KNN's caring work:

1. Tronto, Joan (2013). Caring democracy: markets, caring and justice. New York  and London: New York University Press.
2. Tronto, Joan (1993). Moral boundaries: a political argument for an ethic of care. New York, New York: Routledge Taylor and Francis Group.
3. Held, Virginia (2006). The ethics of care: personal, political, and global.  New York, New York; Oxford University Press.
4. Mayeroff, Milton (1971). On caring. New York, New York: HarperCollins Publishers.