Naive holism II - Hodges' model and String theory

Where were we? Oh yes, maybe string theory can help...?

Health is complex, labyrinthine and while there is no Minotaur to slay (?) we must constantly mine* for information. If we venture forth then best to take some string for reassurance:

• Fully navigate the labyrinth (use technology if you must - audit trails count);

• Find your way out and then you can report your deeds to the wider world.

The maze entrance is revealed when the pin is 'stuck' onto the referral source map. Post or ZIP code: "use it for geographies sake." You want to get out don't you?

Then start laying the thread - REASON-4-REFERRAL

weight loss, fatigue, tremor: SCIENCES domain
low mood, anxiety, agitation: INTERPERSONAL domain
carer under stress: SOCIOLOGY domain - and so on.

Check the health policies hurriedly scrawled on the walls (you may well find the Garden of Policy Delights#, but otherwise make do with the graffiti). Are you truly client-centred or service-centred?

What do you mean you don't know?

OK, well check the string. What sort of pattern have you made?

It's a right mess... Chaotic, even! Yes - mm... well that's OK. It actually looks like you are client centred to me. Just remember to backtrack, check and fill those string-less voids if need bee.

What's that? You are worried because you're tying yourself in knots!

Look don't panic! On the contrary - rejoice! It's what makes health care the magical job it is...

You see 'cc' also stands for 'cat's cradle' as well as 'client-centred' and 'complex care'!

If you never move out of the sciences domain (highly unlikely!) then in string theory that is a closed loop. The care is prescribed - not much room for creativity there - pretty vacuous in fact. Nature abhors a vacuum though, so attend to the care needs within the closed loop with due diligence and utmost priority. Otherwise the vibrations of this critical loop may become universal and the loop resemble a noose.

Prior to evaporating a closed loop can do a lot of damage.

If on the other hand your care winds its way across the care domains, back and forth, play the lace-maker - the artisan you are.

If you become tired, struggling in poor light: keep laying the thread - help may be at hand.

Whether it is a professional or volunteer who takes the lead, apart from those critical exceptions in the SCIENCES and POLITICAL domains, the string must be open at the ends from the start.

The dialogue always begins with an explanation, a rationale.

As soon as the closed loops are cut, the way is open to fully communicate, to comprehensively explore care possibilities.

Patient and carer can then take the other end, indeed if/when able they lead the way!

(Of course, just don't let it become a tug-of-war).

At the end reel the string in and measure (count the knots too).

Whether or not you met the Minotaur - there is the evidence, the outcome of your holistic reach.


Hodges' Health Career - Care Domains - Model

- sufficient to reach and engage the whole community.


Images: Thanks to medeba.com (skipping) & (fractal)
Paul Bourke

#Ack. William Latham 1990s CD-ROM Garden of Earthly Delights.
* From the last post: There are vast and rich seams to mine here (without damaging the environment) and they run under ALL the subject disciplines....
This particular mine is also renewable.