Abstract:
The purpose of the practicum was to clarify the meaning and essence of the concept holism using a modification of "The hybrid model of concept development" (Schwartz-Barcott & Hesook, 1993). The concept was analysed prior to the fieldwork phase using Walker and Avant's (1983/1988) method of concept analysis, then revised following the fieldwork phase, which combined with procedures in the hybrid model and Boyd's (1993) suggestions for nursing practice research methods. During the fieldwork phase the role of researcher and caregiver were combined to enable the researcher to provide palliative care to a patient, who wished to die at home, and her family. The data sources included an ongoing search of cross-disciplinary literature, reflexive journaling, and views of one family gathered through participant observation and a semi-structured interview. The constructed cases were compared to the actual stories which surfaced in the fieldwork phase and resulted in the reconceptualization of the concept holism as "conscious, purposeful, embodied, integrative action of the universe." The findings suggest that holism is a similar but more advanced concept of "universal energy" that has been previously described by cultures the world over and suggests that spirituality is an integral part of the healing process and is embedded in the role of the healer.
