Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in Healthcare

Basic Needs (Physiological Needs)

• These are essential for survival
• Examples include:
  • Food
  • Shelter
  • Water
  • Oxygen
  • Sleep
  • Pain relief
  • Physical activity
• Failure to meet these needs can lead to death.

Safety Needs

• Protect patient information, maintain confidentiality
• Prevent harm and ensure safety
• Reassure patients
• Ensure easy access to call lines and security personnel
• Failure to meet safety needs can lead to fear, anxiety, and feelings of being scared.

Love and Belonging Needs

• Involve patients in their healthcare
• Demonstrate care and compassion
• Facilitate family visits
• Respect patient privacy in long-term care settings
• Allow patients to engage in desired activities
• Failure to meet love and belonging needs can lead to isolation, loneliness, and even suicide.

Self-Esteem Needs

• Promote confidence (patients may have self-esteem issues due to physical or mental health conditions)
• Use positive reinforcement
• Provide support during challenging situations.

Self-Actualization Needs

• Help patients reach their full potential.
• Prepare patients for hospital discharge.
• Encourage patients to focus on the years ahead.
• Help patients achieve their goals.

Emotional Needs

• Provide comfort and compassion.
• Actively listen to patients.
• Acknowledge and support their emotions.
• Use positive reinforcement.

Spiritual Needs

• Respect patient privacy for religious practices.
• Find clergy members (pastors, priests etc.) as per patient request .
• Pray with patients if they share your faith or ask you to pray with them.
• Read religious texts to patients (e.g., Bible).
• Provide religious equipment (e.g., Bible, Quran).
• Failure to meet spiritual needs can lead to decreased hope and loss of meaning.
• Care providers should exhibit tolerance for spiritual practices.

Mental Health Needs: Dementia

• Alzheimer’s disease is a sign of dementia.
• Patients with dementia experience memory loss and may forget basic tasks including identifying family members, communication, and hygiene.
• Patience and assistance with activities are essential for care providers.

Death

• Death is the cessation of all biological functions.
• Hospice care supports patients preparing for end-of-life , providing pain relief and emotional support
• Palliative care manages pain and symptoms for patients suffering from serious diseases (like cancer) regardless of life expectancy.

Grief, Bereavement, and Mourning

• Grief is a deep sadness associated with loss.
• Examples of loss include: the death of pets, family members, loved ones, body parts, friendships , jobs or homes..
• Bereavement and mourning refers to the period of grieving.
• There is no specific timeline for grieving.

Stages of Grief

• 5 Stages of Grief:
  • Denial
  • Anger
  • Bargaining
  • Depression
  • Acceptance
• Key Facts:
  • Denial involves disbelief in the loss.
  • Anger may manifest as violence or frustration - care providers should not engage in arguments with patients.
  • Bargaining involves making deals in an attempt to reverse the loss.
  • Depression is characterized by deep sadness, lack of motivation, and withdrawal.
  • Acceptance involves acknowledging the loss and coming to terms with it.

Quality Healthcare

• Involves providing the right care at the right time using appropriate methods to achieve the best possible outcomes.
• The Institute of Medicine identifies six key attributes of quality healthcare:
  • Safe
  • Effective
  • Patient-centered
  • Timely
  • Efficient
  • Equitable