Creating a patient-centered and holistic care in hospitals requiresadoption of a healing environment rather than a curative approach.Healing paradigm requires embodiment of every aspect of the patientlife including physical, social, spiritual and emotional well-being(Puchalski& McSkimming, 2006). Ordinary curative approach onlyfocuses on physical well-being to relieve patient from a diseaseprocess. For instance, pharmacological drugs are used to curediseases by killing disease causing pathogens. This is not adequateto ensure full recovery and well-being of the patients.
A healing hospital paradigm has many components. Holistic andpatient-centered care which fosters all aspects of the patient is oneof the components. Spiritual, emotional, physical and social supportis encouraged (Puchalski & McSkimming, 2006). A peacefulenvironment with compassionate and friendly caregivers is required toachieve patient centered care. Professional responsibility andcompetence of every caregiver towards patient well-being is also akey component.
Organizational infrastructure, values and technology required tosupport the healing paradigm are other key components. They ensurethat interdisciplinary approach to care for the patient is achieved.Nurses, doctors, social workers, clergy and others are important inproviding a healing environment. These caregivers offer all thenecessary spiritual support to the patients. Another important factoris spiritual support for the patients who form the backbone ofhealing and recovery.
Healing paradigm is often faced with many challenges. Costimplications are the first and key challenges based on the fact thatmany hospitals want to make profits. Many hospitals opt to have lessstaff and cut on nursing and social work staff (Puchalski &McSkimming, 2006). They also overwork the remaining staff bylengthening their working hours as well as number of patients to seeeach day in order to gain more profits. Rising costs of health carehave also contributed to this scenario. Healing paradigm is alsoshort-changed by the need to discharge patients early enough to cuton operational costs and give room for admission of new patients(Puchalski & McSkimming, 2006).Time and costs are the mainfactors and many hospital administrators want their staff doing otherthings like documentation, when not seeing patients.
Spiritual approach to patients is often ignored in many hospitalssince it is seen as a waste of time to meddle in patient’sspiritual and emotional affairs. Many patients always require thisspiritual and interpersonal support from their caregivers butunfortunately, they are less equipped to offer the required support(Puchalski & McSkimming, 2006). The caring, compassionate andempathetic care giving is often missing in many health practitioners.Lack of proper hospital infrastructures and technology also hinderthe provision of a healing environment. Organizational bureaucraciesand limitations cause such inadequacies.
The Bible supports healing paradigm through recommendation of allaspects of human attributes including physical and spiritual healing.In the Book of Jeremiah 33:6, Jeremiah talks about healing of people(The Holly Bible). He talks about achieving good health so that onecan enjoy the peace and security in life. He advocates holistichealing that looks in every aspect of human life.
Therefore, it is imperative to create a working environment thatsupports a healing paradigm in hospitals. Taking care of the keycomponents will ensure that the healing hospital paradigm approach isachieved. Interdisciplinary teams should be involved and encouragedto care for the patients in a manner that promotes more than justtheir physical health. Dealing with the challenges that hinder ahealing environment and changing organizational values is alsonecessary to achieve this. Every patient requires a humane treatmentand care and it is upon us as caregivers to provide such care.
References
The Holy Bible. The Authorized New King James Version. CenturyPublishing
Puchalski, C. M., & McSkimming, S. (2006). Creating healingenvironments. Health Progress, 87 (3), 30