Rizzo, Marco

The word humility is derived from the Latin word humus, meaning “ground” or “soil.” Romans equated humility with being grounded. Perhaps because it contradicts our natural tendencies toward self-preservation, humility remains an often misunderstood and underappreciated virtue. It is foreign to many, especially in today’s society, which is so focused on self-promotion. However, it is truly one of the most important and powerful virtues that a person can possess and practice. Humility is a just assessment of ourselves and the world around us. It is not thinking less of oneself; rather, it is actually thinking less about oneself. In looking beyond ourselves, we can obtain an honest estimate of our limitations and what is needed to remain patient-centered. In approaching our profession with humility, we more closely honor the privileges of caring for patients, teaching others, innovating, and advancing science. The aim of this article is to show how humility nurtures our development in all aspects of medicine. A humble clinician maintains a steadfast focus on their patient, a humble educator emphasizes the learner, a humble researcher respects science through their honesty and integrity, and a humble innovator does not let pride blind them, recognizing that innovation without humility is doomed to fail. In addition to being a superpower in medicine, humility blesses us with the wisdom and gratitude that come from experiencing, living for, and working for something bigger than ourselves. Gratitude has been considered the father of all virtues, and our ability to be truly grateful requires a core of humility.

Humility is one of the most powerful and sometimes least understood virtues we can possess. It is often misinterpreted as a sign of weakness, especially today, where self-promotion is encouraged and celebrated. Many people view humility as “thinking less of ourselves.” In truth, humility is not thinking less of oneself; rather it is appropriately thinking less about oneself. Our ability as caregivers in putting the needs of the patient at the center of all we do is enhanced through our humility. A steady focus on the needs of the patient helps us gain an honest assessment of both our strengths and limitations. Studies have shown that patient outcomes and experiences are strongly associated with provider humility. This article aims to shine a light on the power of humility and its impact on patient experience, psychological and cultural safety, and the provider-patient relationship.