Holistic Nursing Care: Theories and Perspectives

Abstract

Abstract:Introduction: Holistic medicine and holistic nursing aim at the improvement of healing of the individual as a bio-psycho-social unity, from birth until death. Aim: To search for current data on the value and applications of holistic nursing, placing emphasis on the field of psychiatry. Literature review: International data bases and internet were searched (including Pubmed/Medline). Emphasis was placed on theoretical background, on alternative therapies and on the practical applications of holistic care. Conclusion: Holistic approach takes into account the biological, social and spiritual needs of the patient. A considerable number of alternative therapies can contribute to the management of psychiatric and other diseases.

Holistic nursing competence scale: Turkish translation and psychometric testing

“…A nurse who follows the holistic approach considers the uniqueness of each person and respects their personal beliefs and values. While following the holistic approach, a nurse considers the individual's social support resources, health practices, experiences related to their personal and family health, their disease patterns, personality traits, social and cultural characteristics, and nutrition habits, their ways of stress management, and life habits such as rest and exercise (AHNA 2015;Huljev & Pandak 2016;Mariona 2016;Papathanasiou et al 2013). The positive effects of following a holistic approach have been observed on the nurses, healthcare teams, provision of health care and institutions as described in various previous studies.…”

Stress: Concepts, Theoretical Models and Nursing Interventions

“…Nurses, by recognizing the patient's needs and reactions, they should choose those interventions that it will be the most effective for the particular patient [40][41][42][43][44]. Most important intervention for alleviating stress are: anxiety reduction, anger management, relaxation and sleep, proper diet, physical exercise, relaxation techniques and effective time management [26,45 -47].…”

Depression and Quality of Life in Patients with Diabetes

“…The above concern is exacerbated by the stressful nature of the disease and its impact in daily routine of the patient [19,20].Anxiety and stress usually associated with the fact that the disease is incurable followed by various unpleasant social impact on the job, in the marital life and in social life and substantial changes in everyday life. The chronic complications of the disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, diabetic foot and other side effects, instruct the person with additional stress [21,22].The adaptation to the demands of the illness, such as impossibility of maintaining the level of glucose to the normal range ,and the need for continuous control of diet and insulin therapy programs, affecting significantly the quality of life of people.…”

“…Child refers chronologically in the "before" and "after" diabetes with nostalgia for the "before" period and melancholy for "after" [22,27].The sense of risk of disease and the fact that there is no definitive treatment is a powerful reinforcing agent for the appearance of chronic depression .At the same time, the idea that diabetes interferes to the wishes, expectations and occupations recommends reinforcing element for the development of depressive semiology in diabetic patients. The threat associated with the psychological impact of diabetes in confidence, happiness, or satisfaction with life is able to significantly predict depression which may experience people with diabetes [19,22].Psychotherapy and the use of mild psychiatric drugs can relieve patients, but also significantly improve their euphoria, bring back normal situation of sleeping and eating habits, which are important in diabetes. Also to improve the physical condition and patient compliance, to treatment.…”

“…[19,22].The availability of social support plays a major role in the ability of the psychosocial adjustment of patient towards to chronic disease because it contributes to the reconstruction of thoughts and finding solutions to the immediate crisis response. [15,26].People usually turn to the wider social environment to seek available assistance in order to cope with the stressful events of their disease.…”