The Evolving Conceptualization of Holism in Healthcare and Its Implications for Professional Practice, Education and Research
Daisy Michelle Princeton, Kathleen Finlayson, Helen Edwards
Abstract
Aims of the study:
To illuminate the evolutionary transformation of the concept of holism in healthcare
To form a summative, analytic and coherent knowledge foundation for the term holism in healthcare
To objectify and/or expand the theory of the subjective understanding of the concept of holism, and its meanings or connotations in different contexts, perspectives and levels across disciplinary traditions within the system of healthcare
To identify implications ofthe conceptual evolution of Holisminhealthcare professional practice, education and research.
Results: Holism as an evolving concept in healthcare can be operationalized as a humanistic principle that unifies professionals’ (inter)disciplinary aim, intervention and/or processes that acknowledge and protect human value by promoting an appropriate, timely, complete and safe care of the patient within a given healthcare continuum.
Conclusion:
The results suggest that there is a need for further empirical interdisciplinary studies to explore how professionals conceptualize and intercommunicate holism in specific healthcare circumstances - as an underlying common aim, as an integrative intervention, and as an integrative process. This study also raises questions such as how can holism as an evolving concept be further developed to efficiently promote a coherent understanding of interdisciplinary holistic aims, interventions and processes in all forms and levels of interdependent professional communication. And how can a coherent conceptualization of holism lead to the provision of complete, timely and appropriate healthcare service in a given continuum? It is, however, recommended that involved healthcare disciplines are represented in future research.
Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/ijhs.v11n1a5
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