In “Healthcare’s Blind Spot: Why Caregiving Must be Treated as Medicine,” Stephanie Armas sheds light on the often-overlooked role of caregiving within the healthcare system. She emphasizes that caregiving is not merely an ancillary support but a critical component of effective patient care. Armas argues that caregivers, who are often family members or friends, face immense physical and emotional burdens yet receive little recognition or support from the medical community.
Through compelling anecdotes and data, she illustrates how integrating caregiving into the healthcare model can significantly enhance patient outcomes. By treating caregiving as a vital aspect of medicine, healthcare providers can foster more holistic approaches that benefit both patients and their caregivers. Armas calls for a paradigm shift that not only acknowledges but also empowers caregivers, advocating for policies and resources that support their essential work. This TEDx talk is a powerful reminder that in the quest for better health outcomes, we must not neglect the unseen heroes of caregiving.
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Author Video Description
Caregivers are the backbone of our healthcare system, yet they remain undertrained, under-resourced, and overlooked. In this talk. Stephanie explore why caregiving must be recognized as a formal part of medicine—and how reimagining its role through education, policy, and support can improve outcomes for both patients and caregivers alike. Stephanie Armas is a medical student at Rush Medical College whose journey into medicine has been profoundly shaped by her experience as a long-term caregiver for loved ones with Alzheimer’s. Through that role, she witnessed the toll caregiving takes, not only physically and emotionally, but also in how unseen and unsupported caregivers often are within the healthcare system. Stephanie is a passionate advocate for elevating caregiving as a recognized and resourced component of healthcare. She believes it’s time to invest in caregiver education, policy reform, and structural support—because without caregivers, healthcare cannot truly work. 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
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TEDx is an international community that organizes TED-style events anywhere and everywhere — celebrating locally-driven ideas and elevating them to a global stage. TEDx events are produced independently of TED conferences, each event curates speakers on their own, but based on TED’s format and rules.
Video “Healthcare's Blind Spot: Why Caregiving Must be Treated as Medicine | Stephanie Armas | TEDxRushU” was uploaded on 07/30/2025 to Youtube Channel TEDx Talks