Components of a healing hospital and their relationship to spirituality
Many healthcare professionals believe that true patient care involves a nursing care prompted by compassionate, unconditional and supportive concern with the intention of making a difference in the lives of the patients. It therefore involves a high quality care driven by values than money. A healing care thus warrants the provision of an integrated care focusing on the needs of the body, mind and spirit of the sick person. Chapman (2010) reiterates that among the many concerns of a healing hospital, always supporting a culture of care is of prime importance since love remains to be the core of healing. A favorable physical environment that fosters healing, a culture of care with love, and the integration of the best technology to promote physical healing are the major components of a healing hospital.
Providing a quiet physical environment at the hospital that makes the patient to relax comfortably so that his body cells regenerate at a faster pace toward accelerating the healing process is the key to make the patient enjoy peace and security in abundance in the process of healing, as Jeremiah in the Holy Bible promises (Jeremiah 33:6, King James). Secondly, a caring culture promoted by radical love is very important for the speedy recovery of the sick. The entire team of nursing professionals along with the other employees of the hospital needs to ensure this unconditional care. For example, when a light is turned on in a patient’s room, an administrator or another employee passing the hallway attends to the need of the patient without any hesitation. Mathew (Mathew 25:36, King James) talks about such caretakers who would be rewarded during the Day of Judgment for taking caring of Jesus when he was sick. Finally, integrating technology with patient care toward providing security and peace of mind during the testing time helps in quick recovery of the patients. Besides, technological advancement speeds up the recovery process by reducing their anxiety on waiting for test results. New sophisticated technologies and equipments invented by man to promote healing continue to glorify the God as St. Paul says in his first letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 10:31, King James).
Challenges of creating a healing environment vis-à-vis barriers and complexities of hospital environment
Even though healthcare providers believe that spirituality helps a great deal in ensuring the speedy and holistic healing of patients, they are constrained to provide a healing environment. Nursing professionals are taught the meaning of spirituality in healing the patients, but the hospitals or institutions where they join after their training would not allow them to practice what they have learned. The major challenges faced by healthcare providers in creating a healing environment are;
Lack of spirituality on the part of the authorities of health care organizations.
Want of effective, reproducible and respectful processes with the locally available resources.
Lack of integration of spiritual awareness with the profession and failure to sustain a healing hospital environment due to demand driven by competition and technological innovation.
Difficulties in developing and testing holistic healing strategies at the workplace for patients suffering from life-threatening and chronic diseases.
Reluctance on the part of healthcare providers to appoint religious leaders or chaplains as key mentors in different disciplines to facilitate spiritual development of the staff and patients.
Lack of private spaces for meditation and relaxation within hospital premises.
Shortage of trained healthcare professionals in many hospitals compels nurses to care for more patients on a daily basis; this also leaves little room for a spiritual care.
Reference
Chapman, E. (2010). Radical Loving Care: Building the Healing Hospital in America. Nashville: Erie Chapman Foundation.
