What is whole person healthcare?

Dear Friend,

 What is Whole Person Medicine?

You probably already know what this is, although you may not have given it any particular thought. Like many of the most important things in life the idea is so simple that in all the business of modern life, let alone modern medicine, we simply overlook it.

At its most simplistic it is the balance between the body, mind and spirit that make up the individual. In medicine an imbalance in any one of these inevitably affects the others.

This may seem obvious but in much of modern medical education and practice the focus on the complexities of physical diagnosis and treatment means little time may be taken to discover the emotional or spiritual effects of the disorder.

For example, a chronic, enduring pain will inevitably affect the patient’s ability to do everyday things such as hug their children or take the dog for a walk. It may also lead to an inability to cope with daily tasks or the needs of others. A physical or psychological illness has an effect on emotional and spiritual wellbeing and this should be taken into account by healthcare workers. In palliative medicine a care plan will probably include some practical and pharmacological interventions but it may also include the offer of some form of spiritual care such as from a counsellor or hospital chaplain. This is a good example of whole person care.

Patients know that a hospital stay, particularly an extended stay, may lead to feelings of isolation, loss of hope, fear of being unable to cope in the outside world or depression - any of which can have a profound effect on recovery time. Research shows that those receiving care from a chaplain actually go home earlier on average.1 A routine visit to your GP can cause high levels of anxiety. Even the common cold may leave us feeling low, or lacking energy. Physical problems affect our mind and spirit. The converse is also true – there is evidence that shows hopelessness can lead to increased levels of heart disease and cancer.2

Sometimes people complain that the medical profession treats them as a number and not a person, with no proper explanation of what is being done or what will happen next. This lack of thoughtfulness or regard to hopes and fears happens when the whole person – body, mind and spirit – is not being considered. We all know how we would like our mothers to be treated, with courtesy, concern and kindness, but think how many times you have spoken to a friend or colleague who has not received these things.

It seems that in our desire to find new treatments and diagnostic tools we may have overlooked a basic need of all patients – that of being seen, diagnosed and treated not as a leg, a kidney or a brain, but as a whole person. Body, Mind & Spirit.

This is the balance that we as medical practitioners should seek to redress.

References:

1 Florell JL, Bulletin of the American Protestant Hospital Association 1973; 37: 29-36

2 Psychosomatic Medicine 65:201-210 (2003) © 2003 American Psychosomatic Society

On behalf of PRIME – Partnerships in International Medical Education

www.prime-international.org.uk