Using Polyvagal Theory to Optimize Healthcare Excellence
Published on 26. March 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
142 pages
978-1-009-67593-2 (ISBN)
Description
Healthcare organizations face ongoing challenges, including staff shortages, high rates of burnout, and a complex regulatory and financial environment. This book is among the first of its kind to introduce Polyvagal Theory (PVT), and how it explains human behavior under stress. Understanding human responses to stressful situations holds significant value in enhancing patient care and operational efficiency, leading to happier staff, increased productivity and decreased costs. PVT can be widely applied, including in human resources and workplace policies and procedures, providing significant benefit in both direct patient care and business aspects of any health care organization. Exploring the core tenets of PVT, this book equips healthcare providers and organizations with the knowledge to understand and apply this theory effectively. Featuring easy-to-understand exercises which can be applied in any setting, this is an essential guide for all healthcare providers seeking to implement PVT into their policies, procedures, and clinical interventions.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight
228 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-009-67593-2 (9781009675932)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Randy Brazie | Geoffrey Vanderpal | Abi Blakeslee
Using Polyvagal Theory to Optimize Healthcare Excellence
E-Book
01/2026
Cambridge University Press
€30.99
Available for download
Persons
Dr. Randy Brazie is a Board-Certified General Psychiatrist with extensive experience in clinic, hospital, emergency, and urgent care settings. He holds a history of leadership roles in various organizations in the US and New Zealand. Currently serving as Medical Director at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona, he also manages a private practice and teaches at universities. He has co-authored The Steadfast Leader (2023, McGraw-Hill) and several professional journal articles with Dr Vanderpal. Dr. Geoffrey Vanderpal is a serial entrepreneur and leading academic in finance and business with decades of experience. He obtained his first patent for an invention while in college and served as an elected municipal Village Trustee at the age of twenty. He has earned multiple graduate degrees in various disciplines. Dr. Abi Blakeslee is an expert in the field of trauma recovery and the founder of Implicit Psychotherapy. She is senior faculty at Somatic Experiencing International and Director of Training at the Neuro-consulting Group. Dr. Blakeslee integrates the study of implicit memory and psychophysiology in clinical research, primary and secondary trauma interventions, neuro-consulting, and the psychobiological principles of attachment and shock trauma. She is a well-known educator and keynote speaker teaching and consulting worldwide.
Content
About the authors; Introduction; 1. The polyvagal theory 101; 2. Developing ANS-focused clinical interventions; 3. Polyvagal-informed HRM policies and procedures; 4. Leadership and management in healthcare; 5. Measuring outcomes to improve healthcare success; 6. Designing healthcare environments that promote well-being; 7. Interfacing with external stakeholders; Conclusion; References; Index.