Holistic care is a philosophy that guides the care patients receive. It emphasizes the partnership between physician and patient. And it involves provision of care based on a mutual understanding of patients' physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
— Indian Journal of Palliative Care
The holistic care approach encourages primary care providers (PCPs) to engage with each patient as a whole person, rather than focusing on their particular symptoms or parts. Holistic health invites physicians to consider preventive care, take a patient-centered approach, and consider not just the physical but also the mental, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of wellness.
Consider brain health, for instance. The World Health Organization (WHO) developed a new definition of brain health that factors in physical, mental, and social wellbeing. In practice, this can mean looking beyond physical factors that can influence cognitive function, such as injury, and evaluate factors such as learning, socializing, work environment, culture, and mental health that contribute to a patient’s treatment and recovery.
Research in the BMC Nursing Journal highlights the impact of holistic care on patient outcomes. By addressing the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and emotional health, holistic primary care not only promotes overall wellbeing but can also mitigate healthcare disparities and foster trust within the patient-provider relationship.
In this blog post, we delve into the essentials of holistic healthcare and the tools holistic primary care physicians utilize to objectively measure brain health data.
Holistic primary care is an approach that recognizes the complex interplay between various aspects of health. It's not just about treating symptoms; it's about understanding and addressing the interconnected parts that contribute to overall well-being.
This includes:
Research supports the integration of these components into primary care. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing found that a holistic primary care philosophy; which includes regular monitoring of cognitive, mental, and biological markers, is associated with better patient outcomes. This research highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach to patient care that considers all aspects of health as interconnected pieces of a larger puzzle.
This approach acknowledges that each patient's experience of health and illness is deeply personal and cannot be fully understood through objective measures alone.
Listening practice is a cornerstone of this model, where a holistic primary care doctor actively engages in understanding the patient's narrative, providing a space where they feel heard and validated. This empathetic approach is supported by research, such as a study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, which found that effective listening is associated with improved patient satisfaction, enhanced emotional health, better management of chronic conditions, and overall increased adherence to treatment plans.
Asking open-ended questions is another vital component, allowing patients to express their concerns and health goals. This dialogue helps practitioners to tailor care that aligns with the patient's values and expectations. The efficacy of this approach is supported by research, such as a study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, which found that open-ended questions can lead to a more accurate understanding of patient issues and enhance the care provided.
Understanding a patient's social context is fundamental in holistic care, as social determinants such as family dynamics, community resources, and cultural background significantly impact health outcomes. Research, such as a study published in the American Journal of Public Health, has shown that factoring in the social determinants of health can connect patients with resources that support self-care and culturally relevant care, enhancing the effectiveness and personal relevance of the treatment plan.
The philosophy of whole-person wellness is at the heart of holistic primary care. It recognizes the interconnectedness of all parts of a person’s life and targets the underlying causes of health problems. Holistic doctors use evidence-based medicine and treatments, but with a different approach to healing that emphasizes personalized care and a trusting relationship with the patient.
In the United States, 67% of patients did not experience holistic care during hospitalization. This gap suggests that clinics that are able to integrate with holistic practices and take a patient-centered approach—especially outside the context of an emergency or palliative care—are well positioned to differentiate themselves in the level of care they can offer.
This unique approach to healthcare involves:
The key benefits of holistic care for patients, according to healthcare providers include:
The key benefits of holistic care for clinicians according to BMC Nursing include:
Below, we’ll also outline some tools available to clinicians to measure the health benefits and further empower patients with this data.
Holistic primary care adopts a forward-thinking approach to mental and cognitive health, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative network. This collaboration ensures a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses all facets of a patient’s health.
This network may include:
For instance, if a primary care physician identifies a need for specialized mental health support, they can refer the patient to a therapist or psychiatrist who can provide targeted care and therapy.
Platforms like Creyos serve as valuable tools for primary care physicians by offering cognitive screening and mental health assessments. These resources enable physicians to gain deeper insights into their patients' cognitive and mental health status, providing almost instantaneous data that can be shared and discussed with other healthcare providers involved in the patient's care.
By utilizing such platforms, primary care physicians can track their patients' progress over time, adjust treatment plans accordingly, and ensure a more proactive and personalized approach to healthcare. This integration of technology and interdisciplinary collaboration forms the cornerstone of holistic primary care, ensuring that mental and cognitive care is managed effectively and with the full support of a diverse healthcare team.
While holistic care values the subjective aspects of wellbeing, it also appreciates the importance of objective data in providing comprehensive care. Holistic practitioners often use tools and technology to measure wellness objectively.
By integrating both subjective and objective data, holistic primary care can offer a balanced and comprehensive approach to health and wellness. This combination allows for personalized care plans that address the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.
Personalized health goals are designed to be tailored to the individual, taking into account their specific needs and what they want to achieve. Having personalized health goals in holistic care is beneficial because it:
With a detailed understanding of each person’s health, personalized health goals can enhance individual outcomes and contribute to progressing medicine and treatment solutions.
While both integrative medicine and holistic primary care focus on treating the whole person, there are subtle differences.
Rather than simply integrating alternative modalities, holistic primary care seeks to address all aspects of the individual's life and health, promoting patient empowerment and self-care. Studies like those in the Journal of Holistic Nursing have found that a holistic approach can lead to better patient engagement and more effective management of chronic diseases.
Alternative therapies can complement holistic primary care, offering patients a wide spectrum of options for health and healing:
Herbal medicine and dietary supplements, when judiciously used in conjunction with evidence-based medical practices, offer a complementary approach that can enhance patient care.
It’s imperative for primary care providers to be vigilant regarding potential interactions between herbal supplements and conventional medications. For example, a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that magnesium supplements improved patient outcomes in those suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. Similarly, omega-3 fatty acids, as detailed in research within the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, have been shown to be beneficial in the management of mood disorders.
Complementary therapies, such as acupuncture and massage, can help manage chronic pain and improve overall wellbeing. For example, a systematic review published in the Journal of Pain Research supports the efficacy of acupuncture in pain management. Similarly, research in the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork indicates that massage therapy can significantly reduce pain and improve quality of life for individuals with chronic pain conditions. Non-needle treatments for acupuncture include:
Recommended alternatives like these may serve as a good starting place for treating pain, staying in close connection with a patient about the improvements they notice. This approach can also complement the subjective self-reports with objective measures (like session notes and computerized assessments).
Lifestyle interventions and stress management techniques, like meditation and yoga, are also components of holistic care. Regular physical activity can improve mood, distract from worries, and relieve tension and stress.
Computerized assessments can supplement more subjective patient feedback with objective measurements and tracking.
Holistic primary care can play a pivotal role in managing cognitive health concerns by adopting a comprehensive approach that encompasses early detection, individualized care plans, and the integration of innovative digital tools, such as computerized assessments from platforms like Creyos.
Cognitive health concerns addressed by holistic primary care include:
Research underscores the effectiveness of holistic interventions in cognitive health. For example, a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found that lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, can improve cognitive function in older adults. Another study in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine suggests that stress-reduction techniques can enhance cognitive abilities in individuals with cognitive impairment. By leveraging such research, holistic primary care can provide personalized care for patients with cognitive concerns, establishing baselines and monitoring changes over time to optimize health outcomes.
Holistic care supports mental health and stress management through a combination of therapies and lifestyle changes. Adopting appropriate lifestyle choices, including regular physical activity, mindfulness techniques like meditation, and a healthy diet, can assist with stress management in holistic care.
Holistic care may be effective in managing mental health conditions, incorporating traditional therapeutic methods with complementary modalities like cognitive-behavioral therapy, meditation, and physical activity to promote healing and overall wellbeing.
Special considerations are given to patients with autism spectrum disorders and unique family situations, tailoring care to their specific needs. Holistic care for managing Autism Spectrum Disorders may include strategies such as:
In contrast to conventional medicine, holistic medicine adopts a unique approach to treating Autism Spectrum Disorders by integrating complementary and alternative therapies, which are used to enhance overall wellbeing.
The patient-provider partnership in holistic care emphasizes open communication, collaboration, and shared decision-making. Through a collaborative effort, healthcare providers and patients can deliver comprehensive and integrated care catering to the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient. This collaborative approach fosters a trusting relationship, encourages patient engagement, and leads to better treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Holistic providers listen carefully to patients’ stories, taking into account their experiences and perspectives. Attentive listening to patient stories allows healthcare providers to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the patient, encompassing their individual circumstances, emotions, and needs.
Patient stories make the healthcare experience more human and help providers build a meaningful connection with their patients, ultimately leading to more comprehensive and patient-centered care.
Treatment plans are jointly created with the patient to ensure consideration of their preferences and values. Patients can be actively involved in the decision-making process, sharing their knowledge and experiences, and working together with healthcare providers to create a tailored and comprehensive treatment plan that takes into account their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
This approach gives patients more control and acknowledges their expertise in their own health and wellbeing.
Progress towards health goals is consistently monitored and adjusted as necessary to ensure optimal outcomes. Measurement-based care is used to monitor change over time and adapt treatment and support. Healthcare providers can use technology to track patient progress, offer tailored interventions, and maintain ongoing communication.
Additionally, surveys and assessments are utilized to monitor progress and outcomes before each visit. By taking part in tracking their progress, patients can take charge of their health and make informed choices about their care.
Holistic primary care offers a comprehensive approach to healthcare by focusing on treating the whole person and considering the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of health. Integrating traditional and alternative treatments, this approach is tailored to individual needs and preferences.
With an emphasis on open communication, collaboration, and shared decision-making, the patient-provider partnership in holistic care ensures that patients receive personalized care that supports their overall well-being. Embrace the benefits of a holistic primary care approach, and take charge of your health by finding the right provider for your unique needs.