The healing experience-how can we capture it?

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  • Author(s): Verhoef MJ;Verhoef MJ; Mulkins A
  • Source:
    Explore (New York, N.Y.) [Explore (NY)] 2012 Jul-Aug; Vol. 8 (4), pp. 231-6.
  • Publication Type:
    Journal Article
  • Language:
    English
  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Elsevier Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101233160 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1878-7541 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 15508307 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Explore (NY) Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Original Publication: New York, NY : Elsevier, c2005-
    • Subject Terms:
      Attitude to Health* ; Complementary Therapies* ; Health* ; Holistic Health*; Adult ; British Columbia ; Emotions ; Female ; Goals ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Intention ; Interviews as Topic ; Male ; Mental Health ; Middle Aged ; Social Support ; Spirituality ; Treatment Outcome ; Unconscious, Psychology
    • Abstract:
      Background: The Integrative Medicine (I-MED) Index, designed to be a universal instrument to assess the 5 levels of healing (physical, energetic, emotional, subconscious, spiritual) among individuals who use complementary therapies, is based on the hypothesis of healing (HH), which considers healing as a dynamic process towards wholeness generally following the same steps. When we pilot-tested the instrument, it became clear that the way participants experience healing in their lives was not as the HH suggested. This led us to ask how patients experience healing and what outcomes they identify as key to their journey.
      Methods: In-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with 35 individuals with previous healing experiences at 2 wellness centers in Vancouver, BC. Qualitative content analysis and thematic coding were used to analyze the data.
      Analysis and Results: Four themes emerged from participants' stories; they suggested that healing is (1) a personal and subjective experience, (2) a return to wholeness, (3) self-directed and requiring positive intention and (4) experienced in varying degrees. Symptom resolution, goal attainment, changes in social support, mental outlook, and the subtle but significant changes like engaging in life differently were important healing outcomes. Contrary to the assumptions of the HH, healing is an individualized process that does not follow a uniform pattern.
      Conclusions: A lack of consensus on the key concepts of healing has hindered efforts to evaluate the effects of complementary therapies and outcome. The results from this study provide the basis for an instrument to assess individuals' healing experiences in a more dynamic manner.
      (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20120630 Date Completed: 20121025 Latest Revision: 20191210
    • Publication Date:
      20231215
    • Accession Number:
      10.1016/j.explore.2012.04.005
    • Accession Number:
      22742673