Download Models of Health and Healing: A Discussion on Professional Presence and Influence and more Thesis Financial Accounting in PDF only on Docsity! Professional Presence and Influence C351 Professional Presence and Influence Western Governors University The purpose of this paper is to discuss health and healing and how it relates to what it means to be a human. This paper will also explore personality preferences and how it correlates with self-awareness and mindful practice and how it aids in becoming an effective individual and leader. Lastly, it will analyze different direct patient care health care environments that promote optimal healing. Models of Heath and Healing Health, by definition, is the condition of being sound in mind, body, and spirit. (Merriam- Webster 2020) While most would agree to that being the goal, not everyone has the same means and methods to reach that goal. “Healing” is an individualized definition and there are different models of health and healing. Western and Eastern medicine are two examples of these models. Western medicine is also known as allopathic, conventional, or traditional medicine. This form of medicine is driven by science and focuses on treating the specific disease and symptoms. Western medical doctors use evidence-based treatment plans which can include, but are not limited to, medications, radiation, surgery, and lifestyle changes. These physicians also use imaging and lab tests as a form of diagnosis and disease monitoring. (Caring Ambassadors 2020) . Eastern medicine is also known as alternative medicine or traditional Chinese medicine. It takes a more holistic approach where the whole person is to be treated, encouraging a healthy body and mind to prevent illness and recovery. (Wang, 2020) Traditional Chinese medicine Professional Presence and Influence believes in the basic concept that Qi, a vital force of life, surges through the body and that any imbalance to Qi can cause disease and illness. This imbalance is thought to be caused by an alteration in yin and yang, the opposite and complimentary forces that make up the Qi. Eastern medicine also has the belief that in order to regain this balance, you must achieve a balance between the internal body organs and external elements of earth, wood, water, fire, and metal. Eastern medicine practitioners use methods such as herbal remedies, cupping, acupuncture, massage, and meditation. These are holistic approaches to heal the body along with the mind. (John Hopkins Medicine 2020) Models and Professional Presence As an intensive care nurse in the United States, I have been taught to practice and treat patients from the Western medicine model. Physicians diagnosis patients based on symptoms, imaging, diagnostics, and labs and are treated accordingly with medications, therapies, and surgeries. Treating critically ill patients is a very scientifically based practice. However, rarely do medical doctors or other clinicians stop and think about the patient in their entirety, including not only their physical body, but their mind, spirit, and social well-being as well. Personally, I believe “health” is so much more than just your physical well-being and it takes more than just medications to heal someone. While I believe whole heartedly in scientific medicine because I have seen it bring people back from the dead per say, it is very standardized. Healing should be individualized to that specific patient. The same treatment that works for one person won’t be that magical treatment that completely works for another and I think peoples’ spiritual, social, and mental health play a large role in how well they recover. For example, in the ICU, I see a big difference in the recovery success of patients who have a support system from their families. This boosts their emotional and social well-being, which then boosts their physical well-being. It
