Kaiser Permanente, Northern California - Patient Care Services developed a Caritas in Action campaign to encourage caregivers to reflect authentic expressions of Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring ("Caring Science") in their daily practice and within their medical center.

1. CARITAS in ACTION: A Perspective on Integration
Caring Science Serves as a Lens
Manager or Team Leader Teaching Guide
Say: Today we are sharing a new visual logo developed to honor how Caring Science serves
as a LENS by which we, as caregivers, are able to see the possibilities that Caritas in
Action has for supporting KP’s strategic priorities and vision for delivering World Class
Hospital care and outcomes. I’ll give you a brief overview, then ask for your thoughts.
Please refer to the flyer as I explain.
Do:
Distribute the flyer
.
Say: Notice that the outer ring, Caring Science, is the “LENS” through which we look at
everything we do. And when we are informed and inspired by looking through the lens of
Caring Science, we exhibit the values, behaviors and beliefs that enable KP to:
 be known as a Quality Leader
 deliver an Exceptional Care Experience
 ensure Care Without Delay
 foster a Highly Skilled and Motivated Workforce…all the characteristics of a
World Class Hospital.
Caritas in Action -TAPESTRY Leader Guide_2013.04
Copyright 2013 Kaiser Permanente, NCAL Patient Care Services
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2. CARITAS in ACTION: A Perspective on Integration
Caring Science Serves as a Lens
Say: In addition, when we are informed and inspired by Caring Science, we are able to see the
interconnectivity between the various programs, policies and initiatives that guide our
practice.
Ask: Has it ever seemed to you that there are just too many initiatives and you don’t see how
they relate to each other?
Possible Answer
 “Yes! All the time”
Ask: How do you think looking at things through the lens of Caring Science might help you
make the connections of how everything we are asked to do honors our shared desire to
deliver World Class Hospital care and outcomes?
Possible Answer
 We might ask ourselves, “How will this help our patient?” when we hear of a new
initiative
 “We might frame a message emphasizing how a new policy will benefit our patient,
their family or the community.”
Do:
Acknowledge responses with positive feedback such as “Good thinking!”
Say: When we see how Caring Science relates to each initiative, and when all is orchestrated
in a cohesive way, the result will be a strong, functional and beautiful tapestry such as
you see in our visual logo.
Ask: How have you seen this integration be demonstrated in our area?
Possible Answer
 “NKE Plus relates to Responsive Communication where the patient feels cared for.”
 “Pain Management initiatives relate to Patient Comfort which is a basic physical,
spiritual and emotional human need.”
Do:
Acknowledge responses with positive feedback such as “Terrific examples!”
Caritas in Action -TAPESTRY Leader Guide_2013.04
Copyright 2013 Kaiser Permanente, NCAL Patient Care Services
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3. CARITAS in ACTION: A Perspective on Integration
Caring Science Serves as a Lens
Say: Finally, Let’s consider how looking through the lens of Caring Science helps us enhance
our frame of reference. Let’s look at some examples:
 Instead of just having an intellectual awareness, we can also develop a psychosocial-spiritual awareness
 Instead of just seeking to align goals, we can also consider what is needed to align
hearts
 Instead of just reinforcing behavioral standards, we can also reignite passion for
our work and acknowledge the power that is ours for affecting change
 Instead of just focusing on World Class Hospital Goals, we can also reaffirm the
interconnectivity of those goals with Care of Self, Care of Patients, Care of our
team and Care of our Community
 Instead of just defining accountability, we can also behave in ways that inspire
accountability.
Note: The following chart can be used for reference
…Caring Science LENS
Organizational Strategy…
and
Intellectual-Tactical Awareness

Psycho-Social-Spiritual Consciousness
Align Goals

Align Hearts
Reinforce Behavior Standards &
Communication Tactics

Reinforce the Power that is Ours…
Reignite Passion
Reaffirm Priorities across all 4 World Class
Hospital goals

Reaffirm Perspective across all 4
relationships
Define Accountability

Inspire Accountability
Say: In summary, we are introducing this new logo which represents a tapestry of our priorities
as seen through the lens of Caring Science.
Ask: Any questions or thoughts? (Take and respond to questions as appropriate for your
group)
Say: We hope that whenever you see this new logo you will take a moment to remind yourself
to view everything you do through the lens of Caring Science. Thank you for your time
today and for all you do to bring Caring to our patients every day!
Caritas in Action -TAPESTRY Leader Guide_2013.04
Copyright 2013 Kaiser Permanente, NCAL Patient Care Services
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