Holistic Assessment and Care: Presence in the Process

Holism in nursing and health promotion: distinct or related perspectives? – A literature review

“…The focus on the individual patient in nursing is questioned by McEvoy & Duffy (3: 416) who point out that holistic care should be patient led in order to avoid the risk of intrusion. In the same way, Potter and Frisch (7) emphasise patient–nurse interaction as the core of a holistic nursing process.…”

“…Holistic nursing is described as an integration of the mind, body and soul of the individual patient (3), and as ‘a dynamic interactive unit with inseparable parts’ (6: 142). To promote a tailor‐made care for the ‘whole’ person, social, environmental and cultural factors must be addressed (3) and close nurse–patient collaboration established in order to identify the patient’s needs (7). At the same time, current public health strategies call for person‐centred care systems which enable patients to take active part in treatment and decision‐making, i.e.…”

The effect of nurse–patient interaction on anxiety and depression in cognitively intact nursing home patients

“…Good nursing care is defined by the nurses' way of being present together with the patient while performing nursing activities, in which attitudes and competence are inseparately connected. ‘Presence’, ‘connectedness’ and ‘trust’ are described as fundamental cores of holistic nursing care (McGilton & Boscart , Potter & Frisch , Carter ) in the context of the nurse–patient relationship in which the nurse–patient interaction is taking place. Trust is seen as a confident expectation that the nurses can be relied upon to act with good will and to secure what is best for the individuals residing in the NH.…”

An explanatory study on the concept of nursing presence from the perspective of patients admitted to hospitals

“…Based on the results, understanding the availability of nurses for the patients and nursing assistance to perform tasks rapidly and responding to the care requests considering all the physical and psychological problems can be fulfilled via effective nursing attention, while any failure in doing so will lead to patient's worries and confrontation. The report of Potter confirmed the findings; she revealed that the nursing presence will provide comprehensive care with a focus on the physical, mental and spiritual well‐being of the patient (Potter & Frisch ). The aim of nurses in the presence is not to change or intervene, but to bear witness to the patient experiences in a nonjudgemental manner (Bournes & Mitchell ).…”