The Healing Hospital Paradigm

Read all readings for this module and research other articles or websites associated with
the healing hospital paradigm. As you read, consider how this paradigm might influence
your philosophy of caregiving. Any hospital with a healing component to its mission can be
used as a resource.
Write an essay of 1,000-1,250 words in which you address the following:

1. Describe the components of healing hospitals and their relationship to spirituality.
2. What are the challenges of creating a healing environment in light of the barriers and
   complexities of the hospital environment?
3. Include at least one biblical passage or parable that you believe supports the concept of a
   healing hospital and provide rationale for your selection.
   Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide,
   located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
   Remember that Wikipedia is not considered a scholarly source.
   This assignment uses a grading rubric. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the
   assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment
   to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion
   of the assignment.

The Healing Hospital Paradigm

The healing hospitals’ components and link to spirituality

With the present advances in science, technology, and new medications, the healthcare
setting has a role of offering a special opportunity to assist patients suffering from curable
treatable illnesses and diseases. Developing a system of healthcare with a healing, caring, and
loving environment where each employee and patient wants to be associated with is basically the
ultimate goal.
After the construction of Mercy Gilbert Medical Center in 2006, there was a keen focus
on providing a healing environment in addition to a healing culture and healing facility. The
institution was handed a Healing Hospital designation in addition to three cardinal components.
The Baptist Healing Trust was awarded to them in Nashville, Tennessee (Whiteman &
Anderson, 2009). The component that the institution uses and that are characteristic to a Healing
Hospital paradigm include integrating technology and work design, healing physical
environment, and a ‘Radical Loving Care’ culture.

THE HEALING HOSPITAL PARADIGM 2
A healing environment encompasses more than the patient. It also includes the
knowledge of assisting family members and other people who may be involved in supporting the
patient. A patient’s care does only involve their medical wellbeing but in addition, there is a need
for emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Technology and design encompasses of a number of things
including elevators to department locations (Whiteman & Anderson, 2009).
The primary reason why there is a focus on prayer is because it has a vital role in healing.
Prayer and consciousness are important in health in that they tell something about our personality
and what our destiny is likely to be. Since addressing spiritual matters can make the difference in
a person’s illness experience and health outcomes, spirituality should be part of the healthcare
environment.
Challenges of developing a healing environment- complexities and barriers of hospital

environment

It is important to address issues to do with environmental distractions, which can interfere
with the healing environment. These can be as simple as the levels of noise. Disturbing levels
can be as a result of some items such as mechanical and electrical equipment, intercoms, loud
voices, and housekeeping cleaning (International Congress on Pastoral Care & Counselling et al.,
2012). In addition to this, it is important for the healthcare environment to promote patient rooms
where there is as minimum distraction as possible. In addition, there should be a chapel and
chaplaincy services. All workers should be motivated to support patients in spiritual matters.
Providing Bibles in patient rooms also goes a long way in promoting a healing environment.

Biblical parable or passage

There are many biblical passages and parables that support the healing hospital concept.
Some of the verses include; (Matthew 8:13 NKJV); Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your

THE HEALING HOSPITAL PARADIGM 3
way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same
hour. The second verse is (James 5:14-16 NKJV); Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for
the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the
Lord. {15} And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he
has committed sins, he will be forgiven. {16} Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray
for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails
much. These two Bible verses emphasize that faith an prayer are very vital for a person’s
healing, and these are key components of the healing paradigm (Geyman, 2002).

References

Geyman, J. P. (2002). Health care in America: Can our ailing system be healed?. Boston:
Butterworth-Heinemann.
International Congress on Pastoral Care & Counselling, Louw, D. J., Ito, T. D., Elsdörfer, U., &
International Council on Pastoral Care and Counselling. (2012). Encounter in pastoral
care and spiritual healing: Towards an integrative and intercultural approach. Berlin:
Lit.
Whiteman, D. L., & Anderson, G. H. (2009). World mission in the Wesleyan spirit. Franklin,
Tenn: Providence House Publishers.