Title of Research
Start Date
23-8-2019 9:00 AM
End Date
23-8-2019 11:00 AM
Abstract
The Impact of Holistic Healing on Breast Cancer Patients
Arielle Walker
Abstract
Background: As a nurse, it is important to encompass the holistic needs of breast cancer patients to provide more supportive care throughout their quest to optimal health and wellness. Holistic healing is the art and science of incorporating not only the physical wellness of patients, but also the emotional, spiritual, nutritional, and environmental lifestyle elements of each individual to deliver high-quality care.
Objective: The purpose of this integrative literature review was to discuss the positive impact of holistic healing on breast cancer patients, related to the way that actual nurses and patients feel about holistic care given and received. This review exhibited that holistic healing should be recognized and incorporated in care by all nurses to achieve better patient outcomes.
Method: An integrative literature review was conducted.
Results: Treating a patient holistically uncovers the essence of healing a patient and not just symptomatically treating a patient. The difference is the connection created between the nurse and patient and also the time taken to address the patient’s physical, mental, spiritual, economical, and educational needs. The exchange of energy between each entity of an individual makes up the whole, and who that person truly is. According to Musgrave and McFarlane (2004), nurses need spiritual well-being support, just as the patients do, in order to promote a positive atmosphere when caring for breast cancer patients. As a nurse, you must know who you are and what you stand for in order to effectively accept and care for patients that have a different belief system; this is an impactful portion of delivering holistic care. Throughout the studies reviewed, many patients felt that holistic healing was much more than yoga or meditation. They believed that it was the demeanor, mannerisms, tone, and caring actions of the nurses and healthcare providers that truly impacted their journeys. According to Wei, Nengliang, Yan, Qiong, and Yuan (2017), exploring the different perspectives of breast cancer patients, providers, and their assessment of the effectiveness of supportive care needs exemplified a gap in communication. As nurses, we must bridge this gap in order to properly address the needs of the patient. Although healthcare is deemed as a fairly rushed environment, sometimes we must take the time to listen, be encouraging, and realistic with our patients.
Conclusion: Holistic healing is discussed heavily in theory, but not as an evidence-based practice. The patient and nurse perspectives were examined and in conclusion, holistic healing positively impacts breast cancer patients during their care. Many nurses have expressed that consistently practicing holistic care is not feasible due to time constraints and symptom-oriented care, while some nurses believe that they always practice holistic care with each of their patients. Upon diagnosis and the start of treatment, some patients felt abundant support and thought their nurses were very compassionate, while others felt lost, rushed, and misguided.
Keywords: holistic healing, holistic health, holistic nursing, holistic care, holistic healing and breast cancer, holistic care and breast cancer, holistic nursing and breast cancer, impact of holistic healing, holistic healing and breast cancer patients, and misconceptions of holistic care.
Included in
The Impact of Holistic Healing on Breast Cancer Patients
The Impact of Holistic Healing on Breast Cancer Patients
Arielle Walker
Abstract
Background: As a nurse, it is important to encompass the holistic needs of breast cancer patients to provide more supportive care throughout their quest to optimal health and wellness. Holistic healing is the art and science of incorporating not only the physical wellness of patients, but also the emotional, spiritual, nutritional, and environmental lifestyle elements of each individual to deliver high-quality care.
Objective: The purpose of this integrative literature review was to discuss the positive impact of holistic healing on breast cancer patients, related to the way that actual nurses and patients feel about holistic care given and received. This review exhibited that holistic healing should be recognized and incorporated in care by all nurses to achieve better patient outcomes.
Method: An integrative literature review was conducted.
Results: Treating a patient holistically uncovers the essence of healing a patient and not just symptomatically treating a patient. The difference is the connection created between the nurse and patient and also the time taken to address the patient’s physical, mental, spiritual, economical, and educational needs. The exchange of energy between each entity of an individual makes up the whole, and who that person truly is. According to Musgrave and McFarlane (2004), nurses need spiritual well-being support, just as the patients do, in order to promote a positive atmosphere when caring for breast cancer patients. As a nurse, you must know who you are and what you stand for in order to effectively accept and care for patients that have a different belief system; this is an impactful portion of delivering holistic care. Throughout the studies reviewed, many patients felt that holistic healing was much more than yoga or meditation. They believed that it was the demeanor, mannerisms, tone, and caring actions of the nurses and healthcare providers that truly impacted their journeys. According to Wei, Nengliang, Yan, Qiong, and Yuan (2017), exploring the different perspectives of breast cancer patients, providers, and their assessment of the effectiveness of supportive care needs exemplified a gap in communication. As nurses, we must bridge this gap in order to properly address the needs of the patient. Although healthcare is deemed as a fairly rushed environment, sometimes we must take the time to listen, be encouraging, and realistic with our patients.
Conclusion: Holistic healing is discussed heavily in theory, but not as an evidence-based practice. The patient and nurse perspectives were examined and in conclusion, holistic healing positively impacts breast cancer patients during their care. Many nurses have expressed that consistently practicing holistic care is not feasible due to time constraints and symptom-oriented care, while some nurses believe that they always practice holistic care with each of their patients. Upon diagnosis and the start of treatment, some patients felt abundant support and thought their nurses were very compassionate, while others felt lost, rushed, and misguided.
Keywords: holistic healing, holistic health, holistic nursing, holistic care, holistic healing and breast cancer, holistic care and breast cancer, holistic nursing and breast cancer, impact of holistic healing, holistic healing and breast cancer patients, and misconceptions of holistic care.