Humanism, Nursing, Communication and Holistic Care: a Position Paper: Position Paper

By Bonnie Weaver Battey Ph.D. R.N.

The purpose of this book is to present cohesive, introductory information, drawn from the disciplines of speech communication, interpersonal communication, and nursing. It is proposed by the author to establish a benchmark of holistic and humanizing theoretical orientation for interpersonal communication between nurses, clients and others which is appropriate in all areas of nursing practice, education and research.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 16, 2009
• ISBN: 9781469103235

Bonnie Weaver Battey Ph.D. R.N.

Author’s Biography” Bonnie Weaver Battey, Ph.D., R.N., completed her undergraduate work at Valparaiso University and Wagner College, receiving a BS degree in Nursing, a MSN in Nursing Education from Vanderbilt University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, majoring in Speech Communication and Human Relations. Dr. Battey has served as faculty and administrator of associate degree, baccalaureate, and master’s programs in nursing. She initiated an ADN and a BSN program in nursing, and served as an accreditation visitor over 25 years for undergraduate and graduate levels of nursing programs. Dr. Battey has authored numerous articles, chapters, several books and authored four computer instruction programs for distance education. as well as given numerous presentations at professional and lay conferences on a variety of issues in nursing and research. She has served on committees for state boards of nursing and nursing associations, as well as a volunteer Parish Nurse and lay chaplain. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International, the American Holistic Nurses’ Association, and the Society for Spirituality, Theology and Health.

Book preview

HUMANISM, NURSING,

COMMUNICATION

AND HOLISTIC CARE

A Position Paper

Bonnie W. Battey,

R.N., BSN, M.S.N., Ph.D.

Copyright © 2009 by Bonnie W. Battey, R.N., BSN, M.S.N., Ph.D.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in

any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without

permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

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Contents

Preface

Introduction

Humanism

Nursing

Communication

Nurses’ Communication in a Humanizing Mode

Interpersonal Communication

Research and Development of Interventions for Change

Holistic Care

Summary

References Cited

Preface

The first publications of Humanizing Nursing Communication Theory were the 1983 book, Interpersonal Communication in Nursing, followed by Theoretical Perspectives for Nursing in 1985 and Situational Leadership in Nursing in 1989. In the subsequent 20 years, this theory, as well as other communication theories, have been a focus not only in nursing conferences and educational programs but also have served as the theoretical basis of graduate student’s research. However, publications about communication in nursing have been sparsely peppered through the literature. There are very few nursing textbooks offering approaches using a communication theory to provide a basic guide: most have offered communication techniques and focused skills. Clinically, it seems there has been limited interest in how nurses and doctors and clients/patients talk to one another . . . until recently.

Now we have research showing the way we communicate makes a difference for our clients in morbidity, mortality, length of hospital stay, and cost of care. In a context that is a place of healing and humanitarian care, obviously communication behaviors need to change and become congruent with our purpose. The 21st century paradigm of health care is about holism and humanizing or recognizing human beings as holistic beings, incorporating the body, mind, and spirit into client/patient care. Spirituality is being defined as relational or communication. The focus of this paper is to suggest a direction for improving nursing practice through a study of communication theory.

According to Leventhal (1975), the problem of faulty communication and dehumanization can be solved, not by institutional changes or new policies or politics in the health care system, but by altering the content and process of person-to-person interactions. In their review of the literature, Bowles, Mackintosh, and Torn (2001) found there is no benchmark for effective nurse-client/patient communication. This book is a position paper proposing that Humanizing Nursing Communication Theory become that benchmark for all areas of nursing practice. The presentation of humanism, the disciplines of nursing as well as speech communication, and implementation of holistic care are presented as a study in depth. The reader is lead through a summary of the author’s own education, study, and thoughtful perspective in developing the Humanizing Nursing Communication Theory. The companion text provides the suggestions and tool for investigating and teaching interpersonal interactions (see the back cover). It is written primarily for nurse educators, graduate students and researchers as well as the leaders in clinical nursing.

Writing and rewriting is a long, solitary task of reading and study, waiting for insights to appear. Yet, it is worth it. If this work is read by students and faculty to promote nursing to its highest potential in offering a holistic service to consumers, then this difficult task truly becomes a source of satisfaction and fulfillment.

Bonnie Weaver Battey

Introduction

The Problem

There is a great need in the health care professions to provide holistic care (body, mind and spirit) to all clients, regardless of religious, ethnic, or cultural characteristics in a humane (non-judgmental and compassionate) manner. In today’s American health care systems, major trends emphasize certain business and management concepts. Efficiency, accuracy, and economy have become core concepts of health-care delivery. Efficiency and accuracy are expected in use of sophisticated medical terminology and highly skilled specialists who operate modern equipment. The very language used is often ineffective in aiding patients to understand the issues presented. Economy is necessary because of the spiraling costs and the increased expectations of citizens regarding accessibility of health care. In addition, major issues in our political, legal, and ethical systems focus on all phases of health care; who should receive it, who should decide what is received, who can provide the resources, who should have the right to start or stop treatments, and who should pay for it. Finally, according to the U.S. census bureau, (2004), the population of the United States is projected to increase by approximately 40% by 2050, and the world by about 45%. The pressures on the present health care system can be expected to increase exponentially in association with the population. With the impact of these trends, it becomes possible to overlook the purpose of the entire system, i.e., providing holistic and humane care to the client or consumer.

Across the proverbial table from the consumer is the nurse who is also frequently overlooked. This nurse represents the largest licensed professional health care provider group in America. In this health care area, the professional nurse traditionally has had the closest and longest interpersonal contact with patients, particularly when hospitalized, than any other health care provider. In this same health care system, it has been possible to overlook the fact that all the buildings, equipment and sophisticated monitoring machines need to be operated by a human being . . . a professional nurse, practical nurse, or some type