What is holistic care and why does it matter?
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (UK) considers holistic care to mean ‘seeing the whole person’, and the National Health Service (UK) describes the concept of a link between ‘our physical health and our more general well-being’. This means that we need to assess and support all aspects of our patients’ physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual wellbeing needs, rather than focusing on just one aspect of their symptoms or illness. This approach can lead to improved health outcomes, a better quality of life, increased healthcare compliance, and better patient satisfaction.
Continuity of Care
Continuity is a cornerstone of holistic care, especially significant during the transition phases of healthcare. This means that MedResQ’s medical case managers are engaged with the patient from initial hospitalisation, during the active treatment period, after hospital discharge, and whilst convalescing before travel. MedResQ’s medical team ensures that these transitions are seamless, with patient support carefully planned to reflect the current and future needs of the patient. This specialist coordination is essential not only for supporting health outcomes but also for ensuring the patient feels supported, advocated for, and listened to throughout their care journey.
Support Beyond the Hospital
Extending beyond the typical boundaries of medical care, MedResQ’s approach covers the crucial phases of aftercare and repatriation. After discharge, the support continues, addressing any subsequent challenges that may arise. This includes detailed planning and coordination of repatriation, ensuring that the patient’s return to their home environment is as smooth as possible, with all necessary medical supports and onward medical referrals in place.
Holistic Outlook
Holistic care by MedResQ exemplifies more than just medical treatment; it’s about fostering an environment of comprehensive support. This method respects the complex interplay between physical, emotional, and logistical aspects of healthcare, ensuring that each patient receives not just medical interventions but a supportive, reactive, and caring pathway towards recovery and beyond.
Examples of our care in action:
Below are some examples illustrating MedResQ’s holistic care approach in action:
- Comprehensive Support During Hospital Stay: A patient undergoing complex surgery was continuously supported by MedResQ’s medical case managers. From the initial assessment and diagnosis, through to post-surgical recovery and discharge planning, the patient’s medical case was carefully tracked, and medical data assessed in detail. The patient received regular phone and email support which included telephonic clinical assessments of their condition and with monitoring of their recovery. This regular support helped manage a frightening time for the patient and ensured that any arising issues were promptly addressed. This included requesting a SIM card so that they could access data to keep in contact with their family and arranging additional clothes to be provided to them.
- Seamless Transition and Aftercare: After discharge to a hotel, MedResQ maintained its medical monitoring and holistic support, ensuring the patient’s health and recovery was well observed. This included discussions on medication management, wound care and red-flag symptoms to watch for, which helped prevent complications and readmissions, illustrating the benefit of ongoing support in recovery and rehabilitation. In addition, MedResQ’s medical team were able to support a transfer to a more appropriate hotel and to ensure that room service could be available.
- Efficient Repatriation Planning: MedResQ handled all aspects of the patient’s repatriation, including the referral for receiving health care partners in their own country. This process was tailored to consider the overall health and wellbeing needs of the patient and required detailed planning to ensure a smooth journey to their home country.
- Claims Management: For many patients, MedResQ also manages their ongoing healthcare requirements once they are at home. This can include everything from outpatient reviews to admissions and surgeries, often in towns not near to the patient’s home. MedResQ provides holistic support to ensure that all aspects of follow-up care are considered, such as assisting with domestic flights to major cities to access good quality healthcare, and with the provision of accommodation and transportation once there.
In conclusion, MedResQ’s holistic approach to patient care and medical case management ensures that patients are comprehensively supported throughout all stages of support with us. It acknowledges that healing is a multifaceted journey, requiring more than just clinical treatment but a compassionate continuum of care that supports patients every step of the way. This philosophy not only enhances patient satisfaction but fundamentally transforms the recovery process, making it as gentle and effective as possible.
