Reprinted courtesy of Missouri Academy of Family Physicians

Resident Glides into Patient’s Heart and Home
by Heather Shields

Every time Felicia Crutchfield came in to see Joshua Durham, DO, of Research Family Medicine Residency Program, she had a smile on her face.  However, partway through her pregnancy, Crutchfield experienced personal difficulties.  “She was so upset and struggled through her last three months,” Durham said. Though he had several other patients at the time, Durham wanted to do something nice for Crutchfield and knew the Rocking Chair Project was perfect for her.

Since its inception in 2000, the Rocking Chair Project, a non-profit organization providing glider rocking chairs free of charge to economically disadvantaged mothers, has helped new mothers nurture themselves and their babies during the crucial early months.  “Not only did Felicia need it, but I knew she would use it and remember me every time she sat in it,” Durham said. “It turned a potentially negative outcome [from pregnancy] into a great outcome and memory for her and me.” Research shows that holding, rocking, singing, feeding, gazing, kissing and other nurturing caregiving behaviors are crucialto the normal brain development of babies. Second-year family medicine residents choose expectant mothers who are in the greatest need and who would most benefit from the peace and comfort of a glider. The resident visits the patient’s home after the chair is delivered to assemble the chair and counsel the mother.  “Felicia was very thankful, tearful and excited to have me in her home and to receive such a great gift.” Durham said.  “She still thanks me every time she sees me. It has formed a stronger patient-doctor relationship,” he added.  Felicia and her new son, Joshua (she had picked the name before meeting Durham), spend quality time bonding in their glider.  “It has been a joy for me, being able torelax and feel comfortable with my new son,” Crutchfield said. “When I sit in the chair, I feel at ease.”

Joshua Durham, DO, visits Felicia’s home to assemble the Rocking Chair

Project glider she received.

“The program brings back the roots of medicine, when doctors used to go to patients’ homes, and it helps the physician better understand the patient,” Durham shared.  “It really meant a lot to me that Dr. Durham went out of his way, outside normal business hours, to do this for me,” Crutchfield said.  “Nothing like this has ever happened to me. We enjoy the chair a lot and are very grateful for it.” As the Rocking Chair Project states: “For the parents and children, the gift of a rocking chair is a concrete expression that people care about them, and for the family medicine resid ents, it is an expression of caring meant to reinforce key values of humanistic medicine, including compassion, understanding and partnership.” For more information on the Rocking Chair Project, visit www.rockingchairproject.org.