Kintsugi, self-criticism, and well-being (courtesy Dr. Andy McLean)

I’d mentioned in a previous For Your Health column a recent trip I undertook to the Far East. The trip reminded me of the Japanese art form known as kintsugi, sometimes referred to as “golden repair.” Here, flaws in ceramic works are repaired with lacquer mixed with gold or silver powder. The repair of such imperfections is seen as enhancing a work’s beauty.

In our society, and in our professional fields, the acknowledgment of “flaws” has been a risky business. However, accreditation and legislative bodies have understood the need for incentivizing that an honest review of errors is in order to make our systems safer for all (i.e., Quality Improvement). And while these reviews might take place under privileged or private circumstances (versus making declarations for the world to see), it is nonetheless important to know that such critiques are not only acceptable but are our responsibility as institutional leaders. After all, such system changes often lead to reductions in stigma not only for organizations, but individuals.

What, then, of our own self-improvement? Such a process requires humility, the ability to reflect, to make adjustments, and a willingness to continue to grow. While some of us might feel more comfortable disclosing these enhancements to others, many may wish to keep such efforts to themselves. One can still have one’s own “private gallery” of works in progress. The point of kintsugi is acknowledgment and recognition, rather than masking, of our imperfections. It means celebrating rather than hiding a less-than-perfect attempt, given that we know the ideal of consistent perfection is unobtainable.

This is just another way of saying that there are many ties between medicine and the humanities. In fact, “social prescribing,” which can help us “seal up” cracks in our surfaces, is commonplace in some countries. In social prescribing, a physician will literally write a prescription for a walk in nature, a visit to an art museum, engaging in artistic activity, or a conversation with a friend. So, don’t forget to decide what you would like your “golden repair” prescription(s) to be. Doctor’s Orders!