Development of the Therapeutic Buddhist Meditation Nursing Model for Self-Healing in Persons with Hypertension

Abstract

This action research aimed to develop the Therapeutic Buddhist Meditation Nursing Model for Self-Healing in Persons with Hypertension. The research process is based on the collaborative approach among a researcher, twelve persons with hypertension, a nurse, a monk, and a village health care volunteer at one community in Southern Thailand. The study was conducted during June 2008 to August 2009. The qualitative data were collected through in-depth-interview, observation, critical reflection, and field note taking. Additionally, quantitative data were collected using the stress questionnaire, mindfulness questionnaire, and digital blood pressure monitoring. The descriptive statistics and content analysis were used for data analysis. The findings revealed that the Therapeutic Buddhist Meditation Nursing Model for Self-Healing in Persons with Hypertension consisted of 4 phases of self- healing process (1) encountering suffering and having inappropriate health-related behaviors which lead to persistent high blood pressure, (2) understanding the causes of hypertension but unable to eliminate the suffering and inappropriate health-related behavior, (3) practicing Buddhist meditation leads to receive the good feelings from merit making but unable to perform meditation well, and (4) achieving peacefulness and accepting the nature of Buddhist truths. The principle of Buddhist concept guiding nursing care for enhancing self-healing in persons with hypertension were composed of eliminating ignorance, developing mindfulness, overcoming the obstacle of Buddhist meditation practice, and promoting maintenance the regular meditation practice. The nurse's activities composed of providing information, analyzing the causes of hypertension, advising and training Buddhist meditation practice, encouraging confidence, appreciating their devotion to progress in meditation practice, organizing venues for practicing meditation, and advising to concentrate on activities in daily life. The strategies that a researcher and a nurse utilized for encouraging the successful nursing care composed of building friendly relation, understanding and helping to solve the problem with heart, creating relaxing environment, training for Buddhist meditation practice with kindness, accompanying with and practicing Buddhist meditation together, showing the role model, integrating Buddhist meditation congruently with belief of merit making and Buddhist way of life, and promoting learning through critical reflection. The outcomes of this study revealed that the persons with hypertension could integrate Buddhist meditation into daily life to enhance self-healing. Their peacefulness, calmness, mindfulness and wisdom were developed. They accepted the problems and have been searching for the ways to solve them and they finally had appropriate health behaviors. Consequently, they have the physical balance- blood pressure lower than 140/90 mmHg and no signs and symptoms of abnormal condition.