As the days get shorter and the world seems to speed up again, it’s easy to feel like everything — even our healthcare — is happening on autopilot. Screens, sensors, and apps are everywhere. They help, yes, but they can also make us feel a little disconnected from one another.
Bill Gates once remarked, “being flooded with information doesn’t mean we have the right information or that we’re in touch with the right people.”
This month, I want to remind us all that while technology can guide our care, it’s still human touch that heals the heart.
And don’t forget – Time will “fall back” on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 as daylight saving time ends.
— Betty Long, RN, MHA, President/CEO, Guardian Nurses Health Advocates
We live in a world that’s getting more digital by the day.
We book appointments online, chat with bots about symptoms, wear watches that track our sleep, and get test results on our phones before our provider’s office even calls.
There’s no denying that technology has changed healthcare for the better.
But somewhere between the apps and the algorithms, something essential is getting lost: human touch.
At Guardian Nurses, we see it all the time. A patient’s online chart may show their blood pressure is stable, but their voice tells us they’re anxious. A data dashboard might flag “non-adherence” to medication, but when we talk to the patient, we find out they can’t afford the medication.
Technology can tell you what’s happening.
Human connection helps you understand why.
A nurse’s touch — whether it’s a hand on the shoulder, a calm presence in a chaotic ER, or a voice on the phone that says “we’ll figure this out together” — can do what no device, no app can. It reassures. It grounds. It heals.
That’s why, even as healthcare gets smarter, faster, and more automated, the future still needs something ancient: compassion.
Because care isn’t just about monitoring. It’s about meaning.
So yes, our nurses will keep using the best tools technology offers.
But the most powerful tool we’ll ever have is still the simplest — the human touch.
How to Keep the Human Touch Alive in Your Own Care
- Ask for eye contact when you’re being seen by a provider. Seems silly to have to ask…but don’t be afraid to say, “Can we talk without the screen for a moment?”
- Bring someone with you to your appointments. A second pair of ears — like a friend or maybe a Guardian Nurse — can help make sure your concerns are heard and addressed.
- Share your story, not just your symptoms. It helps your care team see the person behind the patient.
- Use health system portals as a bridge, not a barrier. Technology is there to help, but it should never replace an actual conversation.
- Remember: you matter! Never hesitate to ask for a nurse, a real voice, a real person — because you deserve care that feels human.