Walking in a Patient’s Shoes
How Fresenius Kabi is using immersive simulations to deepen understanding of chronic illness.
What does it truly mean to live with a chronic illness? Beyond medical symptoms, patients face daily challenges that impact their routines, emotions, and interactions with the healthcare system. To foster a deeper understanding of these realities, Fresenius Kabi is participating in an immersive patient experience program, allowing colleagues to step into the world of those they serve.
Employees partake in a simulation that replicates certain situations in the life of a patient. Using a dedicated app, they receive instructions and updates, engage in role-play calls with actors portraying caregivers and healthcare professionals, and interact with physical materials received in advance to go through practical aspects of managing symptoms. For 24 hours, they are not just employees working in healthcare. They become patients. This hands-on experience provides valuable insights – not only into the physical symptoms of a disease but also into the emotional and logistical burdens that come with managing a chronic condition.
To bring this immersive experience to life, Fresenius Kabi is partnering with A Life in a Day, an award-winning program designed to offer a realistic glimpse into the daily challenges of living with a chronic illness. Developed in close collaboration with patients, patient support organizations, and healthcare professionals, the program ensures accuracy and authenticity.
For our people, it has already made a lasting impression. In the most recent wave of the program, colleagues took part in the Crohn’s disease simulation, a condition that causes chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn’s can lead to severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss, but its impact extends beyond physical symptoms. Patients must navigate complex treatment regimens, frequent medical appointments, and the unpredictability of flare-ups which can lead to distressing situations and difficult choices about daily activities – all while balancing everyday life. Through this experience, participants gained a first-hand perspective on these challenges, strengthening their understanding of patient needs and the full burden of their disease.
This initiative aligns closely with the Fresenius principles, particularly our commitment to patient-centric care. It reminds us that healthcare is, at its core, human to human.
By fostering deeper empathy and insight, it empowers colleagues to serve patients beyond expectations and develop solutions that truly address their daily struggles. Whether in direct patient care or the development of innovative therapies, understanding the patient perspective is essential to improving healthcare.
Committed to Life, the Fresenius promise, reflects this belief, ensuring that everything we do is driven by the needs of patients. Programs like this immersive experience reinforce our dedication to supporting those who rely on our products and services – because improving lives starts with understanding them.
“I thought I understood what it means to live with a chronic illness, but feeling even a fraction of that burden firsthand was flustering. What struck me the most was how relentless it is. There’s no break, no pause – it’s always there in the background, shaping every decision. I now have a much deeper appreciation for what patients go through every day.”
Marcel Isenberg, Vice President Portfolio Strategy & Business Development
“The experience allowed me to truly grasp the unpredictability of the symptoms and how swiftly one's day can be turned upside down, requiring constant readiness for any situation. I felt the anxiety that comes with interrupted meetings, urgent notifications, and stressful phone calls. It has greatly increased my empathy and understanding of the patients’ challenges.”
Veronique Donoghue, Head of Medical Affairs Region International
“One of the most challenging parts was the potential for embarrassing situations – having to excuse myself unexpectedly or explain something very personal in a professional setting. It really made me realize how isolating an invisible illness can be. I want to be more mindful of this in my work and help break the stigma around conditions that aren’t immediately visible.”
Florian Fix, Head of Social Media
“I didn’t expect the sheer mental load. It’s not just the physical symptoms – it’s the planning, the uncertainty, the emotional toll. Carrying supplies with me all day, always tracking the nearest restroom, constantly weighing decisions – do I go out, do I speak up? The need to disclose your illness just to function in daily life was eye-opening.”
Charlene Leak, Senior Director Homecare Strategy
“The Life in a Day experience profoundly moved me, helping me understand the daily challenges and questions faced by Crohn's disease patients. This further motivates me to prioritize patient-centricity in all our activities and communication with internal stakeholders.”
Alexandrine Corneloup, Senior International Product Manager Parenteral Nutrition
“The experience really moved me – it gave us a glimpse of what it’s like to have a major obstacle making everyday life and plans so much harder. As a healthcare company, I believe we have a responsibility to find solutions that make things easier for our patients. I also realized that just putting ourselves in their shoes isn’t enough – we need to bring patients into our work every day.”
Milagros Ovejero, Director of Enteral Nutrition and Homecare
