It is more and more evident that Health care should not be just treating the symptoms but trying to treat the causes, life style, Nutrition and the psychological aspects.

It is predicted that by 2023 Nutrition careers will see a 18% growth as more and more people will focus on what they eat to feel better inside and out.

Holistic medicine means consideration of the complete person, physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually, in the management and prevention of disease. These different states can be equally important. All healthcare practitioners should aspire towards a holistic approach to patients and attempt to practice it. Recognizing the ‘whole’ person in the prevention and treatment of a disease may hold the key to some diagnoses for doctors. It may also allow valuable and important help and guidance to be given to the patient. Patients tend to be more satisfied if a doctor takes a holistic approach, feeling that their doctor has time for them and their problems. In addition to a holistic approach, a team approach to a patient is also extremely important. There are three types of teams: a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary team. Which team will be used depends on the possibility, knowledge and the patients’ needs. In a team approach the patient is the main focus and is thus the responsibility of every member of the team. The team has a responsibility towards one another to have open communication channels and mutual respect for different professions. Each member of the team should know his or her own abilities and limitations. In many articles the outcomes of treatment with a team approach have been reported positively, with no reports of negative consequences of team intervention. Furthermore, the use of a team approach has been demonstrated in all healthcare settings across the continuum. Forming a multidisciplinary team is only one aspect of providing a multidisciplinary health care service. Developing systems and resources that ensure the team can also function effectively is also essential. Source: DUBRAVKO HULJEV, TATJANA PANDAK, SIGNA VITAE.

 

The department of health recommends the holistic approach to health care especially in children and youth as many times there are many other aspects like family, peers, culture, environment which can affect them physiologically and psychologically.

 

Some simple changes in the nursing and patient care can also be implemented to encourage holistic care.

There are many easy ways to improve relationships with patients and promote a healthy psychological, emotional, and spiritual environment.

  • Learn the patients name and use it
  • Make good, strong eye contact
  • Ask how a patient is feeling and sincerely care
  • Smiling and laughing when appropriate
  • Use therapeutic touch
  • Assist the patient to see themselves as someone that deserves dignity
  • Preserve their dignity
  • Educate your patients on the importance of self-care
  • Ask the patient how you can reduce their anxiety or pain
  • Use non-pharmacological methods of pain control such as imagery, relaxation techniques, and more
  • Encourage patients and assist as needed with alternative treatment modalities; never underestimate the benefit of a massage, aromatherapy, or music
  • Ask if patients have certain religious, cultural, or spiritual beliefs; be sensitive and accepting if they do Source: practicalnursing.org

The patients of the future will demand holistic health care as awareness will increase more and more with the exposure to social media and any information will be at their fingertips. This will result in an increase in the demand for natural health practitioners and therapies which calm the mind and body and treat patients with an approach to treat the whole mind and body than just that symptom.