Nurses at NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn are implementing a holistic approach to patient care, incorporating techniques such as guided imagery and utilizing natural environments to alleviate pain and anxiety, thereby improving patient outcomes.
Caitlyn Ecock, a nurse at the cardiac procedures unit, found that participating in NYU Langone’s Lerner Holistic Integrative Health Nursing Fellowship has significantly altered her practice. The nine-month program integrates clinical expertise with evidence-based wellness tools designed to support both patients and healthcare providers. Ecock stated that her practice has changed considerably in the six months since she began the fellowship, equipping her with hands-on skills like guided imagery.
This technique involves encouraging patients to visualize serene, immersive scenarios, engaging all five senses to activate the body's natural relaxation response. Ecock explained that this method can offer relief by distracting patients from their pain and distress while they wait for treatment. She also noted a personal benefit, reporting that she leaves shifts feeling more fulfilled after connecting with patients and seeing them experience relief.
Studies suggest that guided imagery can reduce preoperative anxiety, lead to decreased medication needs post-surgery, improve wound healing, and shorten hospital stays. The practice has also been associated with reduced pain and fatigue, enhanced quality of life for cancer patients, and a decrease in chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting.
Ecock shared an instance where a patient experiencing back pain, after undergoing guided imagery, fell asleep and appeared to find relief. She emphasized that while traditional medical treatments are crucial, integrating such complementary approaches elevates the level of care.
Nature's Role in Healing
Experts suggest that meditation techniques like guided imagery are more effective when combined with sensory input from nature. Natural elements such as the sound of rustling leaves or the feeling of sunlight can help ground visualizations and deepen relaxation.
In line with this, NYU Langone has invested in creating green spaces across its facilities. Jocelyn Gan, an energy and sustainability specialist at NYU Langone Health, highlighted the importance of these outdoor areas for human connection and healing. Patients are encouraged to spend time in areas like terraces and rooftop gardens, some of which are home to beehives.
Katrina Vigo, a senior nurse clinician and fellowship coordinator, explained that the fellowship aims to educate nurses on how environmental factors influence health. The program teaches nurses how to create healing spaces for patients, even those unable to physically access outdoor areas, by, for example, orienting a bed towards a window with a view of nature.
This integration of holistic practices has positively impacted the nurses' own outlook and interactions with patients. Ecock stated that her perspective has shifted, allowing her to be a more dedicated advocate for her patients, striving to provide the kind of care she would want for her own family.