Question

Define holistic care in your own words.
Describe four ways you can implement a holistic nursing approach to care and facilitate healing. In addition you may considerthe intersection of holistic care and Caritas principles from jean watson theory of human nursing caing science

Answer 1

1. Holistic care is treating an individual as a whole or giving total patient care considering the emotional, physical, social, spiritual, and economic requirements of that person, his/her response to disease, and the effect of the disease on the person’s ability to meet care needs. This is a combination of traditional and complementary medicine.

​​​​​​2. There are many ways to implement the physical, social, psychological, and spiritual aspects of a holistic nursing approach to care and facilitate healing. Use the patient's name with strong eye contact and a smile. Use psychotherapy/counseling to give a feeling of safety and security. Help them rediscover a sense of self-esteem. Encourage them to forgive and forget to end fights and reconcile. Accept them as part of a group and encourage a sense of belonging while treating them with dignity as a fellow human. Control and management of symptoms as well as providing nutritious food as per the daily requirements.

According to Jean Watson, humans are not objects and should not be treated as objects. She also stated that caring is the central element of nursing, which promotes health better than a simple treatment. She firmly believed that a holistic approach is always better in healthcare and is central to the practice of nursing care. She also says all nurses are 'Caritas' nurses, which means nurses who cherish all the patients. Caritas principles of loving-kindness, compassion, equanimity for all based on the oneness and connectedness of all can be seen in the practice of holistic care.