The power of storytelling in building empathy

Dr Woo Yat-ming, Peter
Associate Consultant (Neurosurgery)
Kwong Wah Hospital

“Never underestimate the imagination and capability of secondary school and university students. Their ideas can benefit our healthcare services,” says Dr Peter Woo, who has a passion for sharing stories during community visits, in order to raise public understanding of Neurosurgery. Students have always been one of his target audiences. He hopes that youngsters can believe in themselves that they can also contribute to the betterment of patients and society.

To illustrate, ever since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, visiting arrangement was suspended in all public hospitals. “How can we relieve neurosurgery patients’ distress when they miss their loved ones during their weeks-long stay at hospital?” he asked students. They subsequently raised the idea of purchasing video conferencing equipment and smart robots to assist with communication. “From imagination to realisation, it is important to build empathy among students.”

In his profession, Peter has dedicated himself to enhancing brain tumour treatment services. In 2018, he helped introduce tumour-treating fields, a novel therapy for aggressive primary brain tumours, in Hong Kong, the first region in Asia. He is also an advocate for promoting awake craniotomy as a safer and effective neurosurgical treatment option for selected brain tumour patients in order to preserve vital functions. Dr Woo is making every effort for the best interest of his patients. In the words of his mentor, Dr John CK Kwok, the past Chief of Service of the Department of Neurosurgery – “Make your days count!”