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Recently, nurses have challenged the medical model and begun to adopt a more holistic

approach to the care of their patients. This changing approach is largely based on the recognition

that all aspects of people's lives influence their health, including their social, psychological and

spiritual wellbeing. The well known World Health Organisation (WHO) definition of health

included these aspects, and specifically noted that health was not just about the absence of

disease and infirmity. They defined health as: " A state of complete physical, mental and social

wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity" (Who, )

Holistic nursing care involves taking into account all aspects of our patients' lives, and

identifying how they interact to have impact on their health. Embracing the concept of holistic

care has necessitated a move towards a more equal power balance between the patient and

nurse. The patient, as the expert on their own life circumstances and beliefs, must be recognized

as key to decision-making about their care. Therefore, consideration of how the patient views

their health, and any health problem they may have, becomes an essential part of the

consultation.

The holistic nursing care of individuals with chronic diseases involves promoting psychological

and physiological well-being as well as fostering socio-cultural relationships and supporting the

fulfilment of spiritual aspirations. World health is generally improving, with fewer people dying

from infectious diseases and, therefore, in many cases, living long enough to develop chronic

diseases. Chronic diseases are the major cause of premature adult deaths in all regions of the

world. Chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) are chronic diseases of the airways and other

structures of the lungs. Some of the most common are asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary

disease (COPD), allergic rhinitis, occupational lung diseases, sleep apnoea syndrome, and

pulmonary hypertension. CRD kill more than four million people every year and affect hundreds

of millions more (WHO, 2007). These diseases erode the health and well-being of the patients

and have a negative impact on families and societies. The Health Service Executive (HSE,

2005) and the World Health Organisation (WHO, 2007) have identified chronic respiratory

disease as one of the three major long-term illnesses affecting humanity. For the purpose of this

assignment, the author will focus on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and its

nursing care through the concept of promoting the patients self care and self management of

their disease, in order to improve their overall quality of life.