ON MY SHIFT
Pat Reilly, RN, MSN
Program Manager for Integrative Care
Two years ago, BWH began an integrative care program offering complementary
therapies for both nurses and patients. These methods include: therapeutic touch,
reiki (a form of energy healing), meditation, guided imagery and hypnotherapy.
As program manager for integrative care, I teach workshops to reduce stress
and to help people learn to be more present in this fast-paced, sometimes chaotic,
environment. My meditation class, open to all staff, is held every Monday at 10
am at One Brigham Circle, fourth floor. Our focus is on calming the mind, creating
peace and increasing clarity of thought. By being quiet and focusing on your breath,
you get in touch with who you really are versus who you are in the external world.
With daily practice, events that once caused stress in your life will most likely
not evoke the same level of anxiety. Patients feel that they’re really cared
for, and the nurse-patient relationship is enriched.
Research studies have shown that nurses who meditate daily and receive therapeutic
touch treatments at work have a statistically significant decrease in stress than
those who do not participate in integrative care. By giving nurses the tools to
manage their stress, they can be present and available for their patients—and
for all aspects of their life. Also, by experiencing first-hand the benefits of
these therapies, nurses may be more likely to integrate them into the care they
give patients every day.
I also try to help patients find a little bit of peace in this high-tech medical
environment. Many times, patients will fall asleep during treatments because they
become so relaxed.
One of my research studies is the Prepare for Surgery Program, which teaches
patients to relax in preparation for surgery. Other studies have shown this intervention
decreases patients’ perception of pain and, ultimately, decreases their
length of stay. This program will be open to all patients in October.
For more information on integrative care, please contact me at pmreilly@partners.org