Complementary treatment is a term used to refer to interventions that are consumed alongside the conventional treatments (NHS, 2016). Complementary treatments are non-mainstream, meaning that they cannot be prescribed by the physicians. Evidence exists to substantiate the importance of complementary interventions in the recovery healing process. It is advisable, however, that a patient consults with the physician first before commencing on any complementary intervention. The purpose of this paper is to share a positive story in practice about a complementary modality experience that influenced health. Undertaking this exercise will broaden my knowledge about the use of complementary treatments, and how they can be used to bring positive change to practice.
My mother was very ill, and her demise was expected, although it happened unexpectedly. Throughout her sickness, I received encouragement from family and friends, and this was significant in giving me the strength needed to face her imminent demise. Spirituality was one of the modalities that really helped me cope with her sickness and the subsequent demise. My mother as well as the family and friends shared their spiritual beliefs, and this continually gave me strength. I came across a quote that reminded me of my mother and her death: “A sense of trust that people have or are given the resources needed for dealing with whatever comes their way – expected or not – is a manifestation of spirituality” (Dossey & Keegan, 2016, p. 138).
This quote was quite illuminating in regards to how I handled my mother’s passing. It is when I read this quote, that I realized that spirituality had a significant positive impact, not only on me, but also on my mother. She was at peace with her condition and the inevitable death. She had summoned triumphant courage and strength from within herself and beyond, that she had accepted the inevitable. The strength and guidance that she had acquired comforted her, and gave me the strength and confidence to face her subsequent death. Spirituality is not a new concept in the healthcare arena. Combined with culture, spirituality has played a significant role in the healthcare industry.
The importance and influence of spirituality on health can be evidenced by the presence of chapels and praying areas for patients and their families. In the recent past, cultural sensitivity during care delivery has also gained immense popularity. Spirituality is one of the aspects that caregivers should consider when delivering care. Differing spiritual beliefs have been known to hinder the effective delivery of care, while patient-centered care that respects the spirituality of an individual has been proven to improve health outcomes and satisfaction. In addition, spirituality helps a patient understand and embrace the pain and suffering through spiritual practices such as meditation and prayer.
Compassionate and spiritual care team can also be beneficial to the patients and their families in coping with diseases. Kling (2011) posits that spirituality helps people to the meaning and purpose of life. When people experience sadness due to disease and/or loss, it is compassion that helps them overcome the sadness. Kling (2011) observes that compassion is about developing helpful relationships. Patients develop relationships with their families, friends, and God, in an effort to gain a deeper understanding of life and purpose.
Plans on Positive Changes in Practice Settings
Over the last few years, healthcare professionals have realized the importance of spirituality in healing. The acknowledgement of the significance of spirituality has led to the integration of care with the aspect, resulting to the concept of compassionate care. In fact, most healthcare organizations have ‘compassionate care’ as one of their values of care delivery. Spirituality is one of the components of holistic care. In the recent efforts to implement holistic and culturally sensitive care, I would recommend a focus on spirituality in order to bring positive changes to practice.
It is important to mention that providing compassionate care doesn’t necessarily mean imposing religious beliefs on patients. Spirituality and compassion means creating positive relationships with the patients. The relationship should help the patient gain meaning and purpose of life in the midst of disease and suffering. According to Nash and Yuen (2011) spirituality helps patients “move from a state of dissonance and brokenness, to one of wellbeing and wholeness” (Nash & Yuen, 2011). I would urge my colleagues to embrace spirituality in practice as a way of enhancing wellbeing and health among the patients.
Conclusion
Spirituality is an important aspect in healthcare, and its benefits have contributed to its growing popularity in care delivery. I have had a personal encounter with the importance of spirituality when my mother was sick. Spirituality helped me and my mother overcome the dissonance and brokenness of disease. Instead, it was replaced with deeper understanding of the meaning and purpose of life. Spirituality facilitated the development of relationships with my mother, family and friends, as well as with the care providers. These relationships helped overcome the sadness that we experienced during her end of life care. I would therefore recommend practice change to include spirituality in care delivery to bring positive changes within practice.
References
Dorsey, B. M., & Keegan, L. (2016). Holistic nursing: Scope and standards of practice. In C.
C. Barrere, M. A. Blaszko-Helming, D. A. Shields, & K. M. Avino (Eds.), Holistic
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Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Nash, D. & Yuen, E. (2011). The role of spirituality in healthcare. Medpage Today. Retrieved
NHS. (2016). Complementary and alternative medicine. Retrieved from
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/complementary-alternative-medicine/Pages/complementary-alternative-medicines.aspx
Kling, J. (2011). Spirituality an important component of patient care. Medscape Medical News. Retrieved from Medscape Database.
