The Western & Eastern Medicine In My Practice
As a professional registered nurse, understanding and attending to the needs of patients is the main focus. Although nurses must prioritize their patients’ needs highly, it is vital to also understand and attend to one’s own professional presence, including one’s inner world and one’s outer world. These thoughts, beliefs, behaviors, activities, relationships, and experiences shape who we are as individuals. This paper will explore my own professional presence in an attempt to grow into a confident, effective, and successful leader and registered nurse. Models of health and healing, personality characteristics, mindfulness, and optimal healing environments will be explored in further detail.
Models of Health and Healing
What does it mean to be human? Depending on your location in the world, your answer to that question will vary. Throughout history, that question has been answered in multiple ways. Several models of health and healing have come and gone in the span of many hundred years. In an attempt to gain a better understanding of the different mindsets regarding health and healing, the two models of medicine dividing the world, Western and Eastern, will be contrasted. The world is divided into two models of health: Eastern and Western. The Western model of medicine is what we are familiar with in the United States.
In the Western world, medical professionals focus mainly on the stages of disease when patients are acutely ill. Many times, care is segmented into whatever part of the body is functioning poorly. In contrast, Eastern medicine practitioners address the whole body and its various parts. For example, if a patient presents with chronic pain in the Western world, a full history and physical is taken and a physical examination is conducted. Treatments may include physical therapy, pain medication, interventional therapies, surgery, or psychological counseling.
In the Eastern approach, the practitioner addresses disharmonies, specifically evaluating interior, exterior, heat, cold, excess, deficiency, yin, and yang. The treatments that would be suggested in Eastern medicine include herbs, acupuncture, nutrition, mind-body exercises, such as tai chi or yoga, and massage. According to Dr. Shen, from the Cleveland Clinic, “Outcomes are better when you combine both approaches” (Chronic Conditions Team, 2015). The Eastern model has an entirely different focus and set of beliefs than the Western approach. Overall, Eastern medicine believes that multiple physical and mental components make up each human being. A main focus of Eastern medicine is the idea of yin and yang, “two opposing yet complementary forces that support health” (“Traditional Chinese Medicine,” 2018).
When these two forces are imbalanced, disease results. In Eastern Medicine, health and healing include all parts of a person, including the body, mind, and spirit. Traditional Chinese Medicine, a foundational type of the Eastern world, focuses on the idea that “the human body is a miniature version of the larger, surrounding universe” (“Traditional Chinese Medicine,” 2018). Therefore, to be human means to be a part of the overarching universe, and not just an individual being. An array of mind and body practices is utilized in an attempt to not only alleviate, but also prevent various ailments. Another example of a type of Eastern Medicine is Ayurveda.
Ayurvedic Medicine maintains the principle that the body, mind, and spirit are interconnected (Cameron, 2016). This field also believes that a person’s balance is affected by various factors such as diet, exercise, career, and relationships. Changes in these various factors can cause, according to Ayurvedic Medicine practitioners, disturbances in emotional, mental, and physical aspects of a person. Eastern medicine focuses heavily on both preventative and curative approaches (Cameron, 2016). “Rather than relying on pharmaceutical drugs, tests and operations, Eastern medicine relies on natural resources, like teas, herbs and essential oils drawn from the extract of fruits, vegetables and spices” (Vandegrift, 2017).
Hundreds of herbal preparations are used in Eastern medicine to treat various conditions. It is unheard of, for example, to use pharmaceutical drugs or radiation, two common treatments in Western medicine. Although more natural approaches are used in the Eastern model, “Chinese Herbal Medicine has been severely challenged on its efficacy and safety” (Gu & Pei, 2017). When focusing strictly on the Western model of medicine, it becomes evident that health and disease are very segmented. Western medicine practitioners focus on one body system at a time.
In the Western world, physicians regard the human body as a complex machine. Certain materials, such as medication, therapies, or procedures, are inputted into the body with the hopes of having the output be health and wellness. The different body systems are divided into various subspecialties, such as cardiology, pulmonology, neurology, pediatrics, and many others (Tsuei, 1978). Usually, a primary care practitioner or specialist who can follow the patient and check in with them every few months sees a patient. If new symptoms or issues arise, medications or treatments can be trialed.
The approach is usually less holistic than Eastern medicine. “Fix the defect, and you fix the patient” is usually the thought process (Accad, 2016). Problems arise when a patient does not see a provider regularly, or when all aspects of a patient’s health is not addressed thoroughly enough. This is when the wheels tend to fall off in the Western world. When a patient presents to the emergency department with chest pain, for example, blood is drawn, an electrocardiogram is performed, and symptoms are explored. Pre-existing treatment plans exist for various disease states, and preventative medicine is not normally the main focus.
A physician who could have addressed this patient’s risk factors and came up with a regimen for the patient to follow may not have been following the patient. Therefore, many of the Western medicine approaches end up helping patients when it is almost too late. Of course, that is not the desired result. The Western model of medicine has been being standardized to ensure safety, efficiency, and reproducibility (Accad, 2016). Western medicine has advanced largely over the past hundred years, and people are living longer than ever before. Additionally, research in Western medicine is much more established than in the Eastern world, giving more credibility to the Western approach.
Models and Professional Presence
Although I believe the Western model of medicine is effective in many cases, I do think that more Eastern medicine approaches should be utilized in the Western world. Personally, I believe that a person’s health is a result of various physical, psychological, and social factors. I regard health as being something that should be valued and cherished. To me, the definition of health does not mean the absence of illness, but the highest quality of life that can be achieved despite a person’s current health problems. Throughout nursing school, I frequently referenced the World Health Organization’s definition of health, “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (“About WHO,” 2018).
Sometimes, the Western approach tries to prolong life even when the quality of life is very low. I do not agree with some of the futile attempts to prolong life that are so often visible in our country. As mentioned earlier, the Western approach to medicine would address the issue of chronic pain with methods such as pain medication or surgery right away. However, less harmful methods, such as yoga, tai chi, or massage, in my opinion, should be tried first. If the Western field of medicine incorporated more Eastern approaches into practice, I feel that there would be less drug dependency, and more healthy people in our country.
Both types of medicine could work together to address health concerns in a more effective way. As a nurse in the emergency department, I always incorporate education and preventative medicine into my practice. I treat the patient’s current illness while also providing them with health education and explanations of the reasons for why certain health issues have occurred. I am also glad that many of the emergency medicine physicians in the emergency department I work at encourage patients to get more exercise or try alternative approaches to pain like heat or cold. More medical professionals should take a holistic approach to health in the Western areas of the world.
Influence on Nursing Practice
During my time as a registered nurse in the emergency department, I have tried my absolute best to maintain mindfulness. However, the chaotic environment continues to pose challenges. Understandably, multiple competing tasks tend to cause distraction and disorganization. Through experience, I have become less distracted and able to maintain composure in chaotic situations. I have begun to incorporate the practice of “reflection-in-action” in my position. According to Sherwood and Horton-Deutsch (2012), “Reflection-in-action and mindfulness help nurses develop insight into how perceptions shape actions, identify and understand people’s standpoints, and incorporate this knowledge into more deliberate and effective responses”.
Rather than strictly reflecting back on my experiences, I have been able to, through mindfulness practice, reflect on my actions while I am in the moment. This allows me to be more organized, confident, and successful in my nursing role. When I am able to demonstrate mindfulness in my nursing practice, not only do I benefit, but my patients also reap the rewards. I have felt that tackling one task at a time is the best approach to patient care. Being distracted is bound to cause error, frustration, and disorganization in the stressful environment of the emergency department and in nursing overall.
Personality Preferences
According to the Jung Personality Test, I am identified as being an ISFJ (“Jung Personality Test,”). I am pleased to find that my own personal view of myself aligns quite well with the results of the personality test. I have taken the test before, and I have made my family and friends take it because of how accurate I found it to be. The first letter, I, stands for introversion, a quality I have frequently associated with myself (“ISFJ,” 2016). I am an overall reserved and quiet person, and I feel the need to be alone to recharge and relax most of the time. In my relationships, I tend to listen more than speak, although I do share many feelings and experiences with those I care about deeply. I only have a few close friends and I value my family very heavily.
Some of my favorite activities include yoga, exercise, and reading, all of which are primarily solitary endeavors. These activities align well with my overall introverted nature. My career choice, nursing, is very people-oriented, which can be emotionally draining for introverted souls. Therefore, I tend to need a healthy dose of alone time following a particularly busy shift. I find that my interest in and passion for nursing informatics aligns well with my introverted personality. Dealing more with the technology side of healthcare would still provide some social interaction; however, it will allow me to have slightly more independent work time. S, which stands for sensing, means that I have a preference for information that is concrete and absolute rather than abstract and ambiguous (“ISFJ,” 2016).
In my personal relationships, I am always the person who will present straightforward opinions and logical facts. I enjoy reading news articles and non-fiction pieces as opposed to fictional stories, which aligns well with my ISFJ personality type. My interests in school include science, math, and other left-brained fields. Delving into the discipline of nursing was a natural occurrence for me due to my interest in science, anatomy, and medicine. Feeling, F, means that I value personal considerations and feelings (“ISFJ,” 2016).
Another way to describe this aspect of the ISFJ person is to say I use my heart more than my head in some instances. I tend to avoid confrontation and preserve others’ feelings whenever possible. Although the personality test shows I am preserve feelings when able, I still support objective information when it is necessary and important. In my personal relationships, I am known to support and encourage my loved ones. As a nurse, I tend to patients in a compassionate and caring manner. I always consider others feelings and prioritize their needs over my own. My priority is to make others feel valued and heard, without being judged negatively. I am not known to use tough love; instead, I am more softhearted and offer kind words to everyone I encounter, especially when practicing nursing.
The J stands for Judging, which means I am happiest when assignments are completed. It also means I am organized, timely, and structured in my life (Cherry, 2018). I am consistently on time with tasks and I am organized and structured in my daily life. In relationships, I am a planner and always have events and ideas planned in advance. In fact, I have planned out my future in a very detailed and organized fashion. I enjoy completing projects and organizing my home for enjoyment. In all areas of my life, I am not at all comfortable with or fond of procrastination. I am always on time in my nursing career whether it be an early 7 am shift or an assignment for graduate school.
Potential Challenges or Barriers
The world is made up of billions of unique people with varying personality types. Therefore, challenges and barriers are common occurrences when individuals with opposite personality types interact. Two potential challenges or barriers that could be minimized by enhanced self-awareness include my introversion and my tendency to preserve others feelings at all times. Because nursing is a social profession, being an introvert can sometimes be a difficult predicament. By enhancing awareness of myself, I can make sure I receive adequate rest and relaxation after work so that I am recharged.
Additionally, I can try my best to form close relationships with coworkers so that I feel more comfortable and connected with those I interact with frequently. Having a few nurses who I can confide in would be an ideal situation for my introverted self. The next challenge would be my desire to constantly preserve others’ feelings. In caring for patients who do not properly care for themselves or treat others appropriately, I need to not worry about hurting patients’ feelings. ISFJs are described as being “often misunderstood and inaccurately stereotyped as groveling doormats who live to serve others and let people walk all over them” (“ISFJ,” 2016).
Because I frequently avoid confrontation, I do not want to be seen as a “groveling doormat” as the above description stated. Therefore, I must not worry about hurting coworkers’ feelings if I am being taken advantage of. In these situations, I must speak up and focus on doing the right thing for myself and my patients.
