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Personal perception of chronic illness.
1Florida State University School of Nursing, Tallahassee, USA.
Home Care Provider
|July 27, 1999
Summary
Home healthcare nurses must adopt a holistic approach, recognizing patients as whole individuals affected physically, psychologically, and spiritually by serious illness. This comprehensive care is vital for managing chronic illness impacts on patients and their families.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Care
- Holistic Health
- Patient-Centered Care
Background:
- Patients increasingly seek whole-person treatment beyond physical illness.
- Serious diagnoses like cancer impact physical, psychological, spiritual, and economic well-being.
- Chronic illness disrupts daily life, causing significant stress and anxiety for patients and families.
Purpose of the Study:
- To emphasize the necessity of a holistic approach in home nursing care.
- To highlight the multifaceted impact of serious illness on patients and families.
- To prepare nurses for comprehensive patient and family assessment and intervention.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on holistic nursing and chronic illness.
- Analysis of patient and family responses to serious illness.
- Framework for nursing assessment, intervention, and monitoring.
Main Results:
- Holistic care addresses the interconnected physical, psychological, and spiritual needs of patients.
- Effective nursing interventions must consider the entire patient and family system.
- Continuous monitoring is crucial for managing the dynamic effects of chronic illness.
Conclusions:
- Home nurses must view patients holistically, integrating mind-body therapies.
- Nurses play a critical role in mitigating the stress and anxiety associated with chronic illness.
- A comprehensive nursing strategy is essential for supporting patients and families through serious illness.