In Brief

Healing In Primary Care: A Vision Shared by Patients, Physicians, Nurses, and Clinical Staff

Clarissa Hsu , and colleagues

Background There has been little published research on how patients in primary care define healing, how healing might be improved, and how doctors and other members of primary health care teams see their roles in healing. This study explores what healing means to patients, doctors, nurses, and other members of the primary care team.

What This Study Found Patients and health care team members share a vision of healing and agree on ways to enhance the healing process in primary care. According to this definition, healing is a dynamic process of recovering from a trauma or illness by working toward realistic goals, restoring function, and regaining a personal sense of balance and peace. There are physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions to healing.

Implications

• This study provides new information about healing by asking patients and clinicians what they think. There is strong agreement about healing among patients and clinicians in primary care settings.
• According to this definition of healing, medical care, though important, is only one contributor to healing, and healing is only one element of what goes on in medical care.