4 things healthcare needs to learn from tourism | Doug Lansky | TEDxKI

Tourism expert Doug Lansky explains how implementing certain types of hospitality can actually lead to improved healthcare. Bedside manners – when a doctor diverts valuable time away from examinations and looking at test results to listening and establishing a rapport with patients – is a well-documented example of customer service that improves healthcare. But it’s not the only one. Some service concepts borrowed from the tourism industry can reduce or eliminate stress points. And we know from research that stress can make wounds heal slower and weaken the body’s immune system. Because much of this is completely free and quite easy to implement, it’s a cost-effective approach that almost any healthcare institution can use to improve healthcare.

Doug Lansky is a globally recognized keynote speaker and thought-leader in tourism. He is the author of 10 books, including 2 for Lonely Planet and 3 for Rough Guides, had a weekly syndicated travel column in over 40 newspapers for five years, hosted a Travel Channel show, served as a correspondent for Public Radio’s Savvy Traveler show, served as travel editor for Scandinavian Airlines inflight magazine for three years and contributed to publications such as National Geographic Traveler, Reader’s Digest, Esquire, Men’s Journal, The Guardian, National Geographic Adventure, Huffington Post and Skift.

On the speaking circuit, Doug has given acclaimed lectures at nearly 100 universities, spoken to a sold-out audience at National Geographic Headquarters, for the United Nations World’s Tourism Organization,and set the attendance record for keynote lectures at the 2012 and 2013 ITB Berlin conferences. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx