A Holistic-Comprehensive Approach: Best Practices to Improve Health Policy for COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic affects entire communities and causes a huge impact on all life aspects which include biological, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being. Health systems and health policies are promising developments and opportunities to review progress and accelerate interventions in COVID-19 control. Studies devoted to core holistic-comprehensive issues surrounding this pandemic are limited. Therefore, this article aimed to review several best practice studies that reflect holistic-comprehensive approaches to COVID-19. A comprehensive literature review was written based on 15 articles from the data sources which are Google Scholar, Science Direct, ProQuest Health, and Medical Complete, and ProQuest Science Journals from 2010 to 2020, searched terms related to holistic, comprehensive, outbreak, pandemic, epidemics, and COVID-19. There are many evidence-based practices on safe and effective strategies to improve all aspects of well-being before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Among these promising strategies, a holistic-comprehensive approach could also be considered as a necessary action to improve health policy during the pandemic. A holistic-comprehensive approach involved providing bio-psycho-socio-spiritual care and offered a continuum of healthcare that provides promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative services. A holistic-comprehensive approach to the COVID-19 pandemic requires a sustained commitment from entire communities, stakeholders, and policymakers to achieve better health outcomes for all.

Perceptions of Family Caregivers in the Caring for COVID-19 Patient: Self-Sacrificing Management, Fear, and Loneliness to Protect the Patient—A Qualitative Content Analysis

“…In comprehensive care, not only are all the patient's needs met but also their culture and spiritual well-being are considered to prevent their depression, improvement of physical condition, reduction of hospital stays, and faster recovery [24]. Te results of a review study also showed a holistic approach, including providing biological, psychological, social, and spiritual care, and healthcare, including preventive, curative, and rehabilitation services were considered to improve health policies during the epidemic [25]. Caregivers also used chemical or herbal remedies to reduce, alleviate, or heal patients, as well as methods such as massage, music therapy, patient dialogue, distraction, nutritional therapy, and other complementary therapies.…”

Exploring the patterns of a multisectoral approach in fighting COVID-19 pandemic in SNNPR, Ethiopia: A qualitative case study approach.

“…Global experiences clearly indicated that few countries with successful interventions were those who properly utilized multiple sectors. The ndings in studies elsewhere support this nding that to revert gross public problems such like COVID-19 need consolidated multisectoral efforts [29,30,31]. In similar manner the study in China also recommended better coordination, cooperation and strong solidarity in the joint efforts of ghting against COVID-19 [32].…”

“…This echoes with the study conducted by Salunke & Kumar expressed as leadership willingness and policy mandate are the necessary conditions and driving factor for accomplishment of multsectoral actions for a given project or program. [30].…”