Introduction to ‘picture a philosophy’

55 Picture a philosophy Our garden philosophy Through the analogy of a garden and its contents (Figure 1) we propose to express our philosophy of care. The Health Strategy (2002) is intertwined throughout the garden; the four principles of equity, people-centredness, quality and account- ability are reflected as your mind walks through the garden. The painting uses an abstract inter- pretation with different contents of the garden representing different elements of the collective philosophy of care of the Letterkenny Renal Dialysis Unit team. This article contains explanations for some of the contents that have been included in the garden. Not everything is explained, leaving readers to reflect on their own interpretations and what is meaningful for them. It is hoped the garden will evoke different images and illumination at different times, and for different people. As the seasons are depicted changing on the tree within the garden it is hoped that we will continue to revisit and reaffirm our philosophy of care. The garden An open gate Says welcome: ● In the attitude shown to people accessing our service, their families and friends. ● To staff. ● To visitors. ● To ideas. ● To progress. It also signifies open communication. A tree The tree, with its branches depicting: Ideas and opinions Introduction to ‘Picture a philosophy’ Working, as I do, in an excitable and frequently noisy team, in a loud and rapidly changing organization, however unintentionally, I sometimes squeeze out my ability to appreciate the importance of standing still, to think and improve my decision-making. My guess is I am not alone. So, perhaps you may appreciate just how significant a find the following article is. The authors suggested some more text to explain their work, but it really does not need it. It is a lovely example of how to make a philosophy real and meaningful, and part of the day- to-day reality for all at the Letterkenny Renal Dialysis Unit. The picture in its true colours (regrettably we can only print in black and white) is really beautiful and it certainly made me, and members of my team, pause and reflect. Steven Page

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Transcript of Introduction to ‘picture a philosophy’

Picture aphilosophy

Our garden philosophyThrough the analogy of a garden and itscontents (Figure 1) we propose to expressour philosophy of care. The HealthStrategy (2002) is intertwined throughoutthe garden; the four principles of equity,people-centredness, quality and account-ability are reflected as your mind walksthrough the garden.

The painting uses an abstract inter-pretation with different contents of thegarden representing different elements ofthe collective philosophy of care of theLetterkenny Renal Dialysis Unit team.

This article contains explanations forsome of the contents that have beenincluded in the garden. Not everything isexplained, leaving readers to reflect ontheir own interpretations and what ismeaningful for them. It is hoped the

garden will evoke different images andillumination at different times, and fordifferent people. As the seasons aredepicted changing on the tree within thegarden it is hoped that we will continue torevisit and reaffirm our philosophy of care.

The garden

An open gate

Says welcome:

● In the attitude shown to peopleaccessing our service, their familiesand friends.

● To staff.● To visitors.● To ideas.● To progress.

It also signifies open communication.

A tree

The tree, with its branches depicting:

Ideas and opinions

Introduction to‘Picture aphilosophy’

Working, as I do, in an excitable andfrequently noisy team, in a loud andrapidly changing organization, howeverunintentionally, I sometimes squeeze outmy ability to appreciate the importanceof standing still, to think and improve mydecision-making. My guess is I am notalone. So, perhaps you may appreciate

just how significant a find the followingarticle is. The authors suggested somemore text to explain their work, but itreally does not need it. It is a lovelyexample of how to make a philosophyreal and meaningful, and part of the day-to-day reality for all at the LetterkennyRenal Dialysis Unit. The picture in itstrue colours (regrettably we can onlyprint in black and white) is reallybeautiful and it certainly made me, andmembers of my team, pause and reflect.

Steven Page

PDHC 2.1_crc 7/3/03 1:19 pm Page 55