Healing Hospital Paradigm
Introduction
The healing hospital paradigm is mainly focused on the removal of stress as well as other risk factors which may affect the health and wellbeing of patients in the hospital environment. This is an important factor because the hospital does not only offer healing to the physical body, but should also offer healing to the soul of the patients. Some sicknesses are brought about as a result of a disturbed soul, and this is why the healing offered should be deeply seated. For example, stress is a common factor which may be brought about as a result of many issues. When in the hospital environment, a patient may develop stress because of the painful treatments being administered, the sudden loss of social life or even the financial burden which will result from the admission. If these stressors are reduced, the patient’s wellbeing is maintained and hence the recovery process is hastened. This benefit is the reason why the healing hospital paradigm is considered as a whole healing rather than just a cure to the ailment (Duru, Sarkisian, Leng & Mangione, 2010).
The Components of Healing Hospitals and Their Relationship to Spirituality
Basing on the paradigm of healing hospital, caring for a patient in the hospital environment is not only limited to medical interventions or the administration of medications, but also includes the interaction between the healthcare provider and the patient including their families. This theory has been derived from the belief that the physical health of an individual is affected greatly by both the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of the same person (Duru, Sarkisian, Leng & Mangione, 2010).The components of the healing hospital are comprised of three major features, as discussed below.
The Healing Physical Environment
In the hospital environment, the care of patients should be main focus. However, this alone may not result in the best changes since other factors should also be considered. The caregivers should also learn to care and interact with the family of the patients. This is because when a hospital promotes a loving and compassionate environment the effects have been noted to improve the overall health of the patient (Essien, 2013). A good healing environment should be designed in such a way that the patients and their families are helped to cope with the stresses resulting from the illness.
The hospital environment should also be quiet enough to promote peaceful sleep for the patients. Just as with any other individual, the repair of damaged cells for patients is at its peak during sleep. This is because the body cells regenerate faster when someone is asleep than when they are awake. Therefore, the hospital environment should be free from high levels of noise which will result to sleep deprivation and hence longer recovery processes. The hospitals should therefore promote peace from noise pollution by ensuring that all hallways are carpeted to help capture noise. Cleaning machines should be fixed with silencers to avoid disrupting the sleep of patients.
An integration of Work Design and Technology
Another component of healing hospital is the integration of work design and technology. With the help of designers, these healing hospitals have been able to create more ways for the hospital staff to carry out their rounds in a more effective manner. This has also ensured the increased patient privacy as well as security which reduces their stress and hence promotes their healing process (Linders & Lancaster 2013). The technology should be used to help promote the condition of the healing environment. Elevators which are created on the back of the house enable the nurses to quietly navigate the hospital and also to transfer patients without much commotion. This also preserves the patient privacy since for example if a patient is being taken for radiology, he will not have to worry about coming across someone he knows. Technology can also be used to offer some form of soothing entertainment for the patients by playing soft music.
A Culture of Radical Loving Care
This is also a critical component of the healing hospital. All the other features may be present and easy added into the system of a hospital, however if there is an absence of radical care, the result will not be a healing hospital. This component should act as a reminder to the hospital staff of the main reason why they chose that profession (Michell, 2014). The care offered by the staff should feature the approach which meets the physical needs of patients as well as their spiritual and emotional needs. Therefore, the hired hospital staff should be those who have the heart to empathize with the patients and give them hope when need arises.
Challenges of Creating a Healing Environment
The hospital environment is indeed complicated, and therefore the idea of creating a healing environment may not be as simple as it seems. Maintaining that peace in the environment may seem like a simple and practical idea, but finding the people who will be able to work in silence may become a challenge (Linders & Lancaster 2013). The employees chosen to work in such an environment should be picked carefully. There are special features about them which need to work as the guidance. Although someone may have all the educational qualifications required for the job, they also need to be patient and tolerant. They need to possess special skills which will enable them to promote a healing environment for all the patients.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
The Bible talks a lot about the wellbeing and the healing of a person. In the Books of Mathew, Mark and Luke; it is written of how Jesus gave his disciples the power to overcome all unclean spirits and he also commanded them to heal all sorts of diseases. Just like these disciples, the healthcare providers also feel like they have been called to heal the sick and embrace them with care and compassion (Essien, 2013). The Book of Luke 10:30 supports the healing hospital concept even more. It is the story of the Good Samaritan who despite not being a Christian had the heart to give care and compassion to a complete stranger who was hurt. All the other Christians did not stop to have a second look since this person was a stranger. This parable is mainly a concept that healing does not have to be physical but also spiritual and emotional. A little compassion on a sick man may heal him without further medication.
Conclusion
The healing hospital paradigm is an example which all hospitals should follow. It is the best way through which the patients can be touched so that their lives change forever. Not all employees can help a hospital achieve this, but only the chosen employees who have the true calling.
References
Duru, O., Sarkisian, C. A., Leng, M., & Mangione, C. M. (2010). Sisters in Motion: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Faith-Based Physical Activity Intervention. Journal Of The American Geriatrics Society, 58(10), 1863-1869. doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.03082.x
Essien, E. D. (2013). Notions of Healing and Transcendence in the Trajectory of African Traditional Religion: Paradigm and Strategies. International Review Of Mission, 102(2), 236-248. doi:10.1111/irom.12027
Linders, E. H., & Lancaster, B. (2013). Sacred illness: exploring transpersonal aspects in physical affliction and the role of the body in spiritual development. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 16(10), 991-1008. doi:10.1080/13674676.2012.728578
Michell, D. (2014). Healing and Happiness in the Christian Science Tradition. Feminist Theology: The Journal Of The Britain & Ireland School Of Feminist Theology, 22(2), 203-212. doi:10.1177/0966735013507857
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