Personal Philosophy of Nursing: Humanism in Medicine

As a child growing up I always wanted to be a nurse, I remember playing with my dolls, listening to their heartbeat, with my mom stethoscopes. The passion in her eyes when she offered care as a nurse entrenched in me a desire for a selfless career where both the patient and caregiver would be rewarded. Here I want explain why I chose to follow this career path, also I will write about the role of humanism in medicine in this essay. My mission as future nurse is to provide unprejudiced personal care to patients regardless of their background driven by the power of compassion.

The nursing metaparadigm consists of four basic tenets that have defined my career and allowed me to bring comfort and saves lives of needy persons. The four tenets are; a person as the center of nursing care, health as a continuum of illness and wellbeing, nursing as a process of providing care, and environment. In the healthcare setting, the normal task of care is largely provided to patients with intricate needs, which calls for viewing the person but not the illness and tailoring healthcare around the individual. Identifying the patient as an individual, including their aspects of life history, likes, dislikes concerning the care delivery, and significant relationships, is important in offering quality care. I consider a person to be a social being and people should interact with others and the environment to lead a happy life. The delivery of individualized care involves listening to patients’ needs, sharing information that allows them to make well-versed decisions regarding diagnosis and care plans, discussing treatment and care plans with them, responding to their needs, preferences, and values, and offering supportive care. Health can be placed on a continuum that comprises illness and wellbeing, a process of change whereby a person experiences different states ranging from perfect health to death in his or her life. Therefore, a person’s life fluctuates from the state of stability and independence when they are enjoying full health, to deterioration in health when a person increasingly becomes ill, and instability and dependence when one become incapacitate and unable to cover own needs including performing daily tasks. I perceive health as a continual change process and a person should embrace the changes to sustain well-being and good health.

Humanistic care involves taking the time to understand the patient's needs and concerns, and working collaboratively with them to develop a plan of care that is tailored to their individual needs.

One of the key principles of humanistic medicine is the belief that patients have the right to be treated as unique individuals, with their own values, beliefs, and preferences. This means that healthcare professionals should not approach patients as if they were simply a set of symptoms to be diagnosed and treated. Instead, they should take the time to listen to their patients and understand their unique circumstances, including their personal and cultural backgrounds, their health histories, and their goals for treatment. Another important principle of humanistic medicine is the belief that healthcare professionals should focus on building trusting relationships with their patients. This means being open and transparent about the patient's medical condition, explaining treatment options clearly, and encouraging patients to ask questions and express their concerns. It also means taking the time to build rapport with patients, demonstrating empathy and compassion, and treating patients with dignity and respect.

Humanistic medicine is also focused on the idea of patient-centered care. This means that healthcare professionals should work collaboratively with patients to develop treatment plans that are tailored to their individual needs and preferences. Patients should be given a voice in their care, and healthcare professionals should listen to their concerns and preferences when making decisions about treatment. Patient-centered care also involves recognizing that patients are more than just their medical conditions; they are whole people with complex lives, families, and communities. In addition to these principles, humanistic medicine also emphasizes the importance of ethical and moral values in healthcare. This includes promoting the principles of justice, beneficence, and non-maleficence in all aspects of patient care. It also means recognizing the importance of cultural competence, and working to provide care that is sensitive to the unique needs of diverse patient populations.

In conclusion, nursing is a process of providing healthcare and at the center of the profession is humanism, which means delivering care with a human touch. The process of caring for others should focus on understanding their concerns and applying humanism in nursing situations, driven by individual conscience to sympathize with their struggle. Humanism in medicine is an approach that recognizes the importance of treating patients with dignity, empathy, and compassion. It emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to work collaboratively with their patients, to build trusting relationships, and to provide care that is tailored to each patient's unique needs and preferences. By embracing the principles of humanistic medicine, healthcare professionals can help to ensure that their patients receive the best possible care, both physically and emotionally.