The modern environment of economic growth, technological advances, and the quick pace of urbanization has led to a significant increase in patient expectations, and, subsequently, the decrease in the satisfaction rates (Kravitz, 1998, p. 280).
Therefore, there is an expanding gap that arose between what general practitioners consider important and what patients want (Singh, 1998, p. 97). Due to the fact that patients are starting to interact more with the nurses and healthcare providers, meeting their needs is of the highest importance. As mentioned in the study conducted by Williams (1997), patient satisfaction predominantly relies on the attitude of medical professionals rather than the act of treatment itself (p. 15). Thus, effective communication between a patient and a doctor is an essential aspect of building trustworthy relationships that will leave the patient satisfied (Fong Ha, Surg Anat, & Longnecker, 2010, p. 38).
Holistic medicine is often considered one of the most effective methods for reaching patient satisfaction since it implies a patient-centered approach to health care (World Health Organization, 2004, p. 3). According to Dr de Silva (2014), nowadays, 55% of studies on the topic focus on the holistic concept of healthcare since it is believed that it will significantly increase patient satisfaction rates (p. 5).
A holistic approach to patient satisfaction is worth studying since it can be an effective approach that allows the patient to express his or her needs and expectations of the health care provided (Asadi-Lari, Tamburini, & Gray, 2004, para. 32). Furthermore, there is a possibility that holistic health care impacts the way society perceives medical practice in a general sense.
References
Asadi-Lari, M., Tamburini, M., & Gray, D. (2004). Patient’s needs, satisfaction, and health-related quality of life: Towards a comprehensive model. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 2(32), 1-15.
De Silva, D. (2014). Helping measure person-centered care. Web.
Fong Ha, J., Surg Anat, D., & Longnecker, N. (2010). Doctor-patient communication: A review. Ochsner J, 10(1), 38-43.
Kravitz, R. (1998). Patient satisfaction with health care: Critical outcome of trivial pursuit? J Gen Intern Med, 13(4), 280-282.
Singh, S. (1998). Holistic approach for patient satisfaction – An innovative experiment at aims. Health Administrator, 17(1), 98-101.
Williams, SA. (1997). The relationship of patient’s perceptions of holistic nurse caring to satisfaction with nursing care. J Nurs Care Qual, 11(5), 15-29.
World Health Organization. (2007). People-centered health care: A policy framework. Web.