Wholistic Health Care: Evolutionary Conceptual Analysis

Abstract

While performing a data search to define "wholistic health care", it was evident that a definite gap existed in published literature. In addition, there are different definitions and several similar terms (whole person care, wholistic health, whole person health, wholism, etc.), which may cause confusion. The purpose of this paper was to present the analysis of "wholistic health care" using Rodgers' Evolutionary Method. The method allows for the historical and social nature of "wholistic health care" and how it changes over time. Attributes, antecedents, and consequences of wholistic health care were reduced using a descriptive matrix. In addition, attributes that consistently occurred in wholistic health care were presented as essential attributes. Definitions of Wholistic Health Care Provider(s), Wholistic Health, Wholistic Illness, Wholistic Healing, and Patient were created from the analysis of the literature review of attributes, antecedents, and consequences of wholistic health care. Wholistic Health Care is defined as the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of wholistic illness in human beings to maintain wholistic health or enhance wholistic healing. Identified wholistic health needs are addressed simultaneously by one or a team of allied health professionals in the provision of primary care, secondary care, and tertiary care. Wholistic health care is patient centered and considers the totality of the person (e.g., human development at a given age, genetic endowments, disease processes, environment, culture, experiences, relationships, communication, assets, attitudes, beliefs, and lifestyle behaviors). Patient centered refers to the patient as active participant in deciding the course of care. Essential attributes of wholistic health care are faith (spiritual) integrating, health promoting, disease managing, coordinating, empowering, and accessing health care. Wholistic health care may occur in collaboration with a faith-based organization to mobilize volunteers to support and promote individual, family, and community health. A gap existed in literature regarding the definition of wholistic health care. In addition, a lack of clarity was identified due to the use of the concept, similar or related concepts. Conceptual clarity was sought through identification and definitions of attributes, Powered by Editorial Manager(®) and ProduXion Manager(®) from Aries Systems Corporation antecedents, and consequences. The theoretical definition of wholistic health care and conceptual model can be used to support the presence of the concept, develop model-based applications, and consistently test effectiveness.

The Experience of Working With a Faith Community Nurse Liaison of Care in a Primary Care Practice Among Older Adult Clients and Their Informal Caregiver

“…Faith Community Nurses (FCNs) are registered nurses who undergo specialized education and training to provide wholistic care for their faith community's body, mind, and spirit by blending nursing with ministry focused on intentional care of the spirit (American Nurses Association [ANA] & Health Ministries Association [HMA], 2017;CHA, 2016). It should be noted that in faith community nursing practice, the term wholistic is used instead of holistic (Ziebarth, 2016). Faith community nursing practice differs from general nursing practice because FCNs provide whole person-centered care across the lifespan with a focus on intentional care of the spirit and spiritual growth (Sessanna et al, 2020).…”

The Experience of Living With Retinitis Pigmentosa: An In-depth Exploration of Patients’ Challenges

“…Attention to this issue indicates the need to design a holistic health care program. By examining the health status, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention at all levels and with features such as self-management, the implementation of this program improves patient health [35]. Considering the problems of RP patients, it is essential to have multidisciplinary cooperation.…”

Comorbidities are prevalent and detrimental for employment outcomes in people of working age with multiple sclerosis

“…This requires adoption of the wholistic care of people with MS, which aims to maintain wholistic health or enhance wholistic healing. 31 Although integrated and coordinated care with a multidisciplinary approach has been recommended in caring for people with MS, 32 only a limited number of studies assessed methods of coordinating MS care. 33 Moreover, there is also a lack of incorporated management of comorbidities into the development of health care models for MS. 3 Further research is needed to develop effective health care models through a collaboration between specialists, nurses and general practitioners for improving health outcomes of people with comorbidities in MS.…”