You are on page 1of 13

1

Nursing Holistic Care Approach

Health, Life and Social Sciences NUR014-6

Name

Date
2

Introduction

Patient safety is the very first philosophy that nurses and other healthcare providers learn

in their education if they want to manage patients' health. In this section, the role of several

influencing factors on health becomes prominent, and the elements of health such as biological,

psychological, and organic determinants are essential. Health and wellness are fundamental and

comprise a complex combination of physical, psychological, social, spritual reality of a human

being. While sickness is opposite of health, the concept of well-being is quite broader, and it

consists of the promotion of optimum functioning and entities which fulfillment occurs across all

the layers of human life (Greenberg et al., 2020). In this essay, the challenging dimensions of

health and well-being will be analyzed from different point of the biopsychosocial model, a

framework that considers the mutual impact of the biological, psychological and social factors on

health. Nursing care being based on holistic principles, this essay intends to go beyond the

examination of these concepts and instead focus on the comprehension and implementation of

related facts in a clinical environment. This is the task that involves exploring a case study using

a critical approach to find out what the factors are that affect health behavior trough the lifespan

(Greenberg et al., 2020). This essay sets out to explore the diverse bio-psycho-social factors that

are instrumental behind the shaping of health, such as genetic inheritance, psychological

resilience, social support, economic status and the environment that surrounds us.

Furthermore, this assignment will evaluate the country care offered to the particular individual

involved, investigating the degree to which it supports holistic principles. Via careful appraisal of

nursing interventions, verbal means of communication and patient advocacy programs, this

literacy aims at clarifying the roles of nurses in improving lives and working towards health and

well-being of patients from all walks of life. Eventually, by elaborating on how needed points
3

were handled within the scope of the case study, this essay endeavors to emphasize the practical

utilization of nursing theory knowledge in the practice of nursing. This essay is geared toward a

comprehensive investigation and reflective discussion that shed light on to the central role of the

nurses who in turn provide holistic health and well-being for their patients through their care.

Concept of Health and Well-being

Health is also not only the absence of sickness, it is an overall and complete harmonious

state of the body, psyche, and the social system. The situation with physical health focuses on the

optimal work of the various body systems and organs, while that of mental health is based on

one’s emotional strength, cognitive functions, and emotional stability (Borek et al., 2019). Social

welfare evokes association with friendship and group relations, feeling of belonging and

relatedness to a specific community. Also, the well-being incorporates the subjective factors that

touch on happiness, fulfillment, and quality of living that people experience that involves an

individual's life. Understanding health and well-being in nursing is about choosing the right

intervention altogether. From that angle, we should investigate the complexity of all the

dimensions and synthesize them for the benefit of the individual.

Biopsychosocial Model

The biopsychosocial model provides with a complex and broad scheme of health and

illness for consideration by incorporating biological, psychological, and social aspects.

Biological framework comprises of the genetic makeup, body functions, and imbalances between

chemicals in bodily processes that influence one's health outcomes. Psychological mechanisms

comprise of cognitive activities, emotional condition, means of coping with disease, and traits of

the individual that influence the patterns of behavior which in turns shaped health and responses

to disease (Borek et al., 2019). Socially related elements may vary among individuals from
4

relationships for a social support network, cultures that define lifestyle, socioeconomic

composition and environment to attract health care simultaneously. In light of the complex issues

of individuals' health, nurses can take into account the multidimensional aspects to develop a

comprehensive approach which can address the various needs and complexity of each individual

and become more functional.

Holistic Care

Holistic care that is centered on this philosophy acknowledges that various factors,

including the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions, affect health. It aims at

treating the patient as a whole person rather than just his/her symptomatic disease. Nursing

holistically involves nurses assessing and tackling the domain-specific needs and involved

experiences of different individuals in relation to quality of life, health, and healing (Borek et al.,

2019). Physical care is primarily done through introducing practices like medication

administration, wound care dressing, and also therapeutic exercises which are meant to improve

the body functionality. Psychological help is rendered by emotional support, skill development

and mental health issues review through counseling, therapy and psychosocial interventions

(Taylor et al., 2020). Social care refers to healing and creating social connections, advancing

social justice, and fighting against social determinants of health in order to improve the

community and social links. Spiritual care is the process of offering comfort, meaning-making

and support thus enabling individuals to express their spiritual beliefs and do their spiritual

practices, which helps maintain a state of mindfulness, hope and inner peace during the course of

an illness.

Mission Statement
5

As nurses, our goal is to provide caring, patient-centered service, and at the same time we

are humanized and recognize the importance of healthy lifestyle. We are determined to support

our patients at a physical, emotional, personal, and spiritual level making sure that all these needs

are sufficiently addressed and that the patients are dignified and autonomous while receiving our

care. We emphasize on ethical behavior, sticking to the professional standards and at the same

time work to help the individuals to get the desired health results, navigate the health care system

and make decisions that are based on good quality information. Through incarnating the

comprehensive and compassionate principles, we are helping to shape a healthcare ecosystem

that promotes healing and resilience within the optimal health conditions for all people.

Case Study: Mrs. Y's Journey to Recovery

Mrs. Y, a 65-year-old widower, came into the clinic after having a stroke. On taking

admission she predominantly had the weakness affecting right side mainley, thus, this resulted in

impaired mobility and difficulty performing her daily activities properly. Not only did Elizabeth

manifest dysphasia but it also hampered their conversations significantly. Together with these

emotional symptoms, which were natural reactions to the unexpected impairment and major life

changes, caused by her stroke, Mrs. Y also showed signs of depression and anxiety That's how

she tried to counterbalance the sadness and fear with optimism and courage.

Mrs. Y lived by herself and had hardly any personal social support, thus she also had additional

difficulties in her recovery process. Limited assistance provided, she was only able to do a few

things and that worsened her isolation and pout away her independence. Mrs. Y went through the

stroke during her prior struggle with hypertension and diabetes, and as a result, these health

conditions added to the difficulties of her medical management and rehabilitation process.

During her inpatient period, the entire thereat of Mrs. Y's care team held in mind the key to the
6

multidimensional kind of care she needed. The physical therapists were very incusive and aimed

to ultimately restore Mrs. Y's ability to move and live functionally independently by carrying out

tailored rehabilitation exercises with the aid of mobility aids. Among other things, speech

therapists provided the intensive sessions of therapy that were directed at ultimately restoring her

communication skills and enabling her to swallow without the risk of aspiration. This, in turn,

was meant to cater for her nutritional requirements.

On top of assisting Mrs Y with her physical problems, the health care stopped to attend to her

emotional wellness. Mental health professionals became a reliable source of help for Mrs. Y

providing emotional counselling and support to help her face the emotional burden associated

with the stroke and other related dramatic life changes. A team of social workers worked hand in

hand with the community resources to provide the elderly lady with added support services and

home modifications to make room for her successful independence living (Minahan, 2020).

Social workers collaborated with community resources to arrange for additional support services

and home modifications to facilitate Mrs. Y's transition back to independent living (Minahan,

2020). The obstacles of her stroke and the health conditions that came with it were no match for

Mrs. Y’s ability to rise above challenges and her willpower. Throughout her recovery, her

bravery and determination shone. Amid the noninterrupted help provided by her healthcare team

and the motivating remarks from her family members, Mrs. Y. completed her rehabilitation

process. Thanks to her determination and having a holistic treatment, Mrs. Y restored the belief

in herself and in her meeting the obstacles all the way up and going on the trajectory of the

honest life.

Analysis of Case Study: Holistic Care


7

Physical: Mrs. Y’s stroke has manifested in severe physical setbacks, especially on the right side

which is the most affected. The consequence has been reduced mobility and muscle weakness.

The reduced strength and coordination resulting in the same have multifaceted effects on her

functional abilities, thus demanding a multidisciplinary approach towards physical rehabilitation.

The implementation of physical therapists is vital in Y's rehabilitation as it involves designing

the exercises and programs based on Mrs. Y's ability and her goals (Froehlich et al., 2021). The

programs usually constitute a variety of exercises which aim at correcting Mrs. Y's respective

joint motion, picking up strength, and eliminating any possible risk of further neurological

problems. For Mrs. Y, the physical therapist gives not only usual training exercises that are useful

for restoring the physical activity but also mobility training for her to walk safely and so that she

doesn’t fall. In addition, they can teach the ways of employing the assistive devices of the same

sort as walkers or canes to the patient so that she could have the necessary support for her

movements as she moves in her surroundings. Eventually, she can integrate these devices into

her daily life when it comes to getting better with her movement skills and feelings of confidence

as to her abilities physically, it will translate to greater independence and quality of life.

Moreover, the nursing staff is a key player in Mrs. Y's physical rehabilitation process, as they

provide direct assistance with activities she is capable of, but she is unable to do on her own.

This pampering helps Mrs. Y regain the lost confidence and confidence in her to taken care of

oneself properly. With a cooperate culture between physical therapists and nursing staff, Mrs. Y

thoroughly gets attention to her physical disabilities used by the nurses to follow her recovery.

Biological: Mrs. Y's illnesses continue to represent hurdles on her side, especially the

hypertension and diabetes, besides from the stroke her body has to heal from. The bottom line

here is that subclinical factors in these cases exert a great influence, not only on her general
8

health state but also on prognosis and her recovery trajectory as well. A significant part in

Mrs.Y's care is the one played by nurses' who constantly check vital parameters like blood

glucose and blood pressure and indicate any changes promptly so as to detect any complications

which may arise. A comprehensive management strategy is introduced to achieve the objective of

superior condition management with avoidance of complications in the case of Mrs. Y chronic

disease. Patients should follow precisely their medication regimen for hypertension and diabetes,

with due to drug to drug interactions and adverse effects in mind. Working in a close contact with

other care facilitators, nurses are the ones who can modify medicine dosages and formula

depending on clinical condition and reaction of Mrs. Y. Nurses are also responsible for providing

Mrs. Y with comprehensive information about disease management and preventive technique

approaches, thus helping her to take an active role in controlling her conditions and preventing

recurrences of the similar health problem in the future. Rather, this education incorporates all the

different aspects, which entail dietary modifications, exercise regimens, monitoring techniques as

well as medication adherence. Providing Mrs. Y with the right information and skills thus will be

helping nurses in improving her chronic conditions that in return will result to her health

outcomes becoming better and also her well-being improving as a whole.

Social: Mrs. Y’s life becomes filled with social changes that not only impact but determine her

recovery journey and emotions. Now being a widow and living alone with limited social support

comes in at the top of her obstacles that makes her feel lonelier and depress, which is seen to

prolong her psychological turmoil and hinder the process of self-recovery. Mrs. Y rehab will only

be successful if the role of social support and teamwork are recognized by nurses as important.

Therefore, nurses work closely with the other healthcare providers to comprehensively address

Mrs. Y's social needs. Proper social intervention should ideally involve helping her to develop
9

positive communication with people around her, i.e. family members and friends. Through the

nurse's connection with her network, Mrs. Y will experience emotional uplift as well as the

required administering of the practical task of the healing process. Constant contact with the

relatives helps them stay abreast of Mrs. Y's status and advancement thus they can extend more

assistance which is also the moral boost she needs. As another point, nurses get the community

resources to enhance Mrs. Y's social network and lift up her withdrawal. This may include

placing an referral of Mrs. Y to nearby the groups which have similar concerns or a agency

offering a support and social services to the individuals facing a difficulties. Mrs.Y's support

group membership brings her socialization with people who have been through similar

difficulties as hers and this provides her with an understanding and encouragement to continue

fighting. Apart from that, nurses call for home health services for Mrs. Ye to help with her at

home and make sure she has an ongoing support while in her home environment. Besides these

the services can also comprise of some specialized assistance with bathing, medication

management, and physiotherapy, suited to Mrs. Y. Experts in home health services usually offer

nurses the opportunity to integrate the patient socially, this means that the environment becomes

supportive to further recovery as well as adjustment of the patient life after a stroke.

Psychological and Spiritual: The psychological and spiritual traumas inflicted by Mrs. Y's

stroke could be categorized as depression, anxiety, and existential distress, parts of a cascade of

emotions. These fluctuations in her some ways are tough to deal with for her and then make the

whole process of recovery cumbersome. In the process of understanding that psychological and

spiritual care is extremely vital, the personnel of this care unit put into place a comprehensive

plan, which is aimed at answering Mrs. Y’s basic needs such as support and comfort. The

communication skills that therapeutic approaches offer stand out as the foundations for the
10

individual experiencing this psychological disorder. Using effective communication skills such

as active listening, empathy, and genuineness, nurses develop strong therapeutic rapport with

Mrs. Y that helps in creating a safe and nonjudgmental surrounding where the latter feels free in

expressing concerns, fear, and anxiety. As a result of this ongoing communicated to Mrs. Y,

nurses develop mutual trust and understanding to help them move along the emotional state of

Mrs. Y and treat her actively. Moreover to therapeutic communication, counseling services are

provided to Mrs. Y, which enables her access to the required platform that demands her to plumb

the maze of her emotional problems and develop strategies as well. By attending counseling

classes, Mrs. Y will venture into the various strategies of resilience, acquiring skills and learn

how to handle her vulnerable and complicated emotions competently. Additionally to this, it is

the right of the patients to get spiritual assistance if they need it or have a religion, such as Mrs.

Y, who was offered comfort, meaning, and emotion in the difficulties of life. Psychological and

spiritual treatment is also an important component of Mrs. Y's care plan, and nurses here are the

ones who work alongside patients in their healing journey, helping them to become whole and to

be resilient when problems arise. Through this approach which is multi-dimensional the

caregivers address not only her immediate emotional problems but which also lead to nourishing

her inner strengths, helping her to conquer the difficulties which improve her life quality,

eventually ensuring wellbeing.

Conclusion

In addition, there comes a crucial requirement for a holistic approach, which requires a person to

identify a relationship between physical, mental, social and spiritual elements. The case of Mrs.

Y demonstrates the difficulty of considering such a range of health problems that might be

encountered in the course of nursing care and the way in which these can often overlap. The
11

team of her healthcare professionals has the ambition to address prolifically her need by such

incorporation of biopsychosocial frame and holistic nursing intervention. Through the

acknowledgement that the meaning of health exceeds merely the absence of diseases and

comprises various domains in wellness, nurses provide and execute interventions important for

comprehensive health results. The case of Mrs. Y suggests that the solution to the problem of

tackling of not only the acute physical stroke effects but also the underlying conditions, social

isolation, and emotional/social distress must be addressed. With the assistance of teamwork,

nurses aim to set up an environment that is encouraging not only for Mrs. Y but also favors her

recovery process.

The biopsychosocial model offers a complete model for examination of the intricate relation

among Mrs. Y's biological need s, psychological status, and socio-economic role affecting her

health status. By taking into consideration these complex dimensions, nurses ought to develop

individualized care plans which are meant for the patient's mental, emotional, and social well-

being and can help in improving their physical state as well. However, holistic nursing care lays

emphasis not only on treating the condition, but the whole person covering all the aspects that

make a person. Nurses alleviate her needs using counseling, therapeutic communication and

spiritual support that ultimately help Mrs. Y overcome her psychological and spiritual

challenges. They are therefore key in attaining peace. In addition to that, nurses acknowledge the

role of social determinants in Ms. Y's well-being, on the social side, including her loneliness and

a lack of social support. She can directly connect with her family and loved ones who will bring

in a feeling of comfort to her while also acquainting her with the community groups and

programs she can benefit from through this contact. This can as well be followed by setting up

home health services that will ensure Mrs. Y gets the social support she needs. All these will in
12

turn make her feel physically and psychologically better as she undergoes the recovery journey.

Thus, while nurses may be nurses, they are also advocates, caregivers, and educators, giving

people like Mrs. Y the power to be the ones in charge of maintaining their health and wellness.

By practicing compassionate and responsive care that is focused on the interest of clients, nurses

add to the promotion of health and facilitate healing thereby increasing the quality of life for the

people they take care of. Accordingly, nurses model the comprehensive aspects of nursing that

should be at the heart of the nursing practice and support the wellness of all people seeking

treatment from them.


13

References

Borek, A.J., Abraham, C., Greaves, C.J., Gillison, F., Tarrant, M., Morgan-Trimmer, S., McCabe,

R. and Smith, J.R., 2019. Identifying change processes in group-based health behaviour-

change interventions: development of the mechanisms of action in group-based

interventions (MAGI) framework. Health Psychology Review, 13(3), pp.227-247.

Froehlich-Grobe, K., Douglas, M., Ochoa, C. and Betts, A., 2021. Social determinants of health

and disability. Public health perspectives on disability: Science, social justice, ethics, and

beyond, pp.53-89.

Froehlich-Grobe, K., Douglas, M., Ochoa, C. and Betts, A., 2021. Social determinants of health

and disability. Public health perspectives on disability: Science, social justice, ethics, and

beyond, pp.53-89.

Greenberg, N., Docherty, M., Gnanapragasam, S. and Wessely, S., 2020. Managing mental health

challenges faced by healthcare workers during covid-19 pandemic. bmj, 368.

Minahan, J., 2020. Conceptualizing Multimorbidities in Older Adults: Chronic Pain, Depression,

and the Biopsychosocial Model (Doctoral dissertation, University of Kansas).

Taylor, S., Landry, C.A., Paluszek, M.M., Fergus, T.A., McKay, D. and Asmundson, G.J., 2020.

Development and initial validation of the COVID Stress Scales. Journal of anxiety

disorders, 72, p.102232.

You might also like