Strengthening Healthcare Through the DREAM Guideline: Enhancing Presence, Teamwork and Inclusive Care

The Presence Team from North-West University (NWU), Potchefstroom Campus, NuMIQ Focus Area, had the privilege of presenting an interactive workshop entitled “Strengthening Healthcare Through the DREAM Guideline: Enhancing Presence, Teamwork and Inclusive Care” at the Sedibeng District Research Conference, held on the Vanderbijlpark Campus.

Aligned with the conference focus on “Enhancing Continuity and Coordination for Quality Healthcare”, the workshop highlighted the importance of presence, relational caring and reflective practice in strengthening healthcare relationships and promoting compassionate, inclusive and relational-centred care.

Through interactive activities, including guided mindfulness, the Garden Reflection and group discussions, participants explored how being genuinely present, communicating meaningfully and working collaboratively can positively influence patient experiences and strengthen teamwork.

A highlight of the workshop was the Garden Reflection activity, during which participants worked in small groups, each receiving a box containing a variety of garden items. Using these materials, each group was invited to create a garden representing their current working environment. Participants were then asked to give their garden a name and explain the meaning behind their creative choices, including what each item represented and the symbolism of the colours they selected.

This experiential activity encouraged participants to reflect on their workplace culture, relationships, teamwork, communication, challenges and opportunities for growth. Through the symbolism of their gardens, participants were able to express how they experienced their working environments, identify what nurtures or hinders relational caring, and consider what could be cultivated to create a more supportive, inclusive and compassionate healthcare environment.

The activity brought the DREAM guideline to life by demonstrating that, just like a garden, a healthy working environment requires dedication, nurturing relationships, a supportive environment, positive attitudes and continuous motivation to flourish.

The reflection was closely connected to the DREAM guideline, an approach that encourages healthcare professionals to bring the human and relational dimensions of caring into everyday practice. DREAM encompasses Dedication; Respect through Relationships; Environment; the Art of Healthcare; Attitude and Advocacy; and Motivation.

These interconnected elements encourage professionals to remain committed to their purpose, build respectful relationships, create supportive environments, recognise caring as both a professional skill and a human art, advocate for inclusive care and maintain the motivation to make a meaningful difference. The guideline provides a practical foundation for strengthening presence and embedding relational caring into everyday healthcare interactions.

A key message emerging from the workshop was that continuity and coordination extend beyond clinical processes and systems. They are equally dependent on meaningful relationships, mutual respect, effective communication and a shared commitment to quality care. The DREAM guideline provided participants with practical opportunities to reflect on their everyday practice and identify ways to integrate presence and relational caring into their professional interactions.

The workshop reinforced the importance of creating healthcare environments where patients, families and colleagues feel acknowledged, respected and valued. It also highlighted that presence is not simply about being physically available, but about being genuinely attentive, responsive and engaged with others.

We are grateful for the opportunity to share the DREAM approach and engage with healthcare professionals and researchers in strengthening a culture of presence, teamwork and relational caring.

Workshop facilitated by the Presence Team: Dr Kathleen Froneman, Mrs Anna-Therese Swart, Mrs Babalwa Tau, Ms Deusámore Marcandonatos, Dr Suegnet Scholtz, Prof Khumo Shopo, Dr Mariska van Tonder-Oosthuisen, Prof Antoinette du Preez and Mrs Olivia Ngami, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus.