Nurturing Our Patients' Spirits
In ancient times, care was always multidimensional because it was understood there were different aspects of a person's well-being – body, mind and spirit. Medieval chart notes in the hospices of that era reveal notations designed in the margins through the anamcara, an ancient Gaelic role, literally meaning “soul friend.” In determining “prescriptions” for that spiritual dimension of a person within hospice's care, the anamcara would choose from a number of options, a few of which could be considered alternative healing modalities of our modern day. There is an authentic interest in along with a respect in order to an individual explore the numerous size of personhood.
In the current end-of-life care movement, treating the entire person by addressing spiritual-existential issues along with one's emotional and physical needs is well-accepted and practiced. In fact, there's a plethora of literature not only substantiating its benefits, but also evidence-based methods for putting whole-person care into practice at the end of someone's life. The literature and practices continue to evolve, as there is an authentic curiosity about easing pain and suffering that an individual may experience.
Whole-Person Care in Everyday Practice
It is perplexing, though, why whole-person care doesn't mean the everyday-care that patients receive. We have all had those patients who book appointments for a particular physical ailment, only to discover that something “non-physical” is at the heart of the concern. Modern life is full of difficulties, disappointments, and losses, which can be overwhelming to the most resilient people.
Why does this component of care frequently get ignored? It is a complex issue there are various factors influencing how prescription medication is practiced – the insurance coverage industry, practitioner comfort with such topics, patient expectations, how much time is allotted for each visit, etc. Addititionally there is confusion concerning the definition of spirituality, which often gets wrongly identified as religiosity. In my experience, “spirituality is the fact that aspect of humanity that refers back to the way that individuals seek and express meaning and purpose, and experience their connectedness towards the moment, to self, to other people, to nature, towards the significant, or sacred.”1
Opportunities As Naturopathic Physicians
As practitioners in the field of naturopathic medicine, using what frequency and consistency are we addressing spiritual-existential difficulties with patients? Our profession has got the advantage of being guided by:
- Naturopathic principles, like the vis medicatrix naturae, tolle causam, tolle totum2
- The Therapeutic Order2
- The determinants of health2
- Characterizing illness and healing as a process2
As we work through the process of remedying disturbance, you have the possible ways to reflect on the concept of spiritual integrity2 with patients. Inquiring about how patients experience peace and joy, and exploring patients' “core beliefs and values”1 allows us the potential for tackling disturbances waiting in the clear way of healing. In the middle of illness, patients can experience profound existential crises as they aim to make sense of their current circumstances. Navigating the arena of spiritual integrity with patients can bring a larger feeling of well-being, improve standard of living, and provide meaningful support.1
Responsibility & Benefits
Standing within this sacred space with patients is about 1 individual witnessing the expertise of another – a real soul-to-soul connection. Exploring this realm with other people is actually about facilitating patients' self-discovery and helping people “feel” what has been suppressed. The ease of these conversations depends upon such factors as the excellence of the practitioner's presence, the capability to pay attention deeply, and having no preconceived agenda. Opening ourselves up such as this does require self-exploration and self-reflection. The possibility exists that patient interactions can trigger uncomfortable emotional responses in the practitioner. It can make it easier to stand in these spaces with patients when we have examined similar issues in our own lives.
Technical medical expertise will be important to effective patient care, however the additional search for the spiritual aspects of our lives holds the promise for much far more complete healing.