Florence Nightingale might be considered the first proponent of Feng Shui-like principles in the design of hospital environments. Her belief that scientifically educated nurses could artfully apply nursing knowledge to promote health and healing continued to influence nursing practice through the 20th century.
The importance of the environment or context of care on the healing function was key in Nightingale's schema such as the provision of clean, warm, well-ventilated, predictable environments for the sick. 1 She also focused on light and aesthetically pleasing spaces in which the sick could heal. Many of nursing's conceptual models assert holistic principles: Orem's self-care concepts, 2 Neuman's health care systems, 3 and Rogers' focus on unitary beings, 4 among others.
The design of nursing care delivery systems in various practice arenas consistently emphasizes the primacy of patient, family, and community needs, and the key role that nurses play in promoting health and healing. More and more nurses practice complementary therapies such as hypnosis, massage, reflexology, therapeutic touch, Reiki, and aromatherapy. These therapies serve as important adjuncts to traditional treatment regimens and for people to maintain health and balance in their lives.
When we fast-forward to the 21st century, the digital age, biogenetics, bioinformatics, nanotechnologies, and new pharmaceuticals hold promise for deep and rapid intervention and cure. At the same time we witness the widespread and growing use of complementary, palliative holistic therapies designed to promote peace, relaxation, health, and well-being of the whole person-body, mind, and spirit. Can we fully integrate these two approaches to health and illness in a health care system beset with so many challenges? Can nurses who deftly work in traditional care environments yet deeply understand the power of holistic intervention and its scientific basis promote this integration?
Amidst our strained health care institutions, holistic care suggests nurses' willingness to "take the time" to listen, observe, and be present with patients and families in any care arena. The realization that health care resources are finite constantly changes intervention and care priorities. Nurses who understand holistic care's scientific basis can play a sentinel role in preserving holistic, person-centered approaches as integral to the delivery of quality, cost-effective care. As the nursing shortage approaches critical proportions, it may provide nurses the leverage needed to change and improve care and to promote more holistic models.
Holistic Nursing Practice will continue its quest to reconcile technological and holistic approaches to treatment and care, and provide models for their integration. If you would like to share your personal experience in helping to integrate holistic and traditional care, from either a student, teacher, or practitioner perspective, E-mail your 700-word manuscript to us for consideration at: [email protected].
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