A heterodox model of healing

A heterodox model of healing incorporating the basic dualism of Western philosophy--the world of concrete material substance versus that of thought, ideals, and spirit--is proposed. Such dualism is reflected in Western constructions of healing. An explanatory paradigm model with a horizontal axis representing paradigms of healing from positivism to metaphysics and a vertical axis representing activities of healing from the material to the spiritual was derived from ethnographic work with healers. A health practice model following the same philosophical patterns illustrates reflected American cultural values in the relative positioning of healing modalities from the orthodox biomedical to the most metaphysical or alternative. Examples of specific modalities of healing, many of which are resurfacing with increasing public interest in alternative therapies, are illustrated. This model places biomedicine in the same context as other philosophical approaches to healing as a standard for comparison. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

[Healing practitioners in Austria?]

Following Austria's joining the Europian Union (EU), the "Heilpraktiker" topic has become a much debated subject in this country. This paper is an attempt to clarify a number of misconceptions related to this profession. The training, knowledge, responsibilities and rights of "Heilpraktiker" are not in accordance with the law that aims at "averting a danger to the health of the people". An EU harmonization of non-medically trained practitioners has long been discussed in Brussels but was recently rejected. A speedy solution to the obvious problems is therefore not in sight. On the basis of these facts, there are hardly any good reasons for introducing the "Heilpraktiker" in Austria.

The concept of spirituality in nursing theories: differing world-views and extent of focus

Although nursing has recognized spirituality as an important aspect of holistic patient care, exactly what spirituality means has remained rather amorphous. The purpose of this article is to present aspects of spirituality found in modern nurse theorists' ideas. These aspects are presented both in relation to reciprocal interaction or simultaneous action world-views and in relation to the extent of focus on the concept within the model or theory. This discussion will provide the researcher and practitioner with additional theoretical understanding on which to ground investigations and base practice.

Spiritual dimensions of a mind-body group for people with severe mental illness

In a mind-body group designed to address issues of well-being for people with severe mental disorders, experiences with spiritual themes of optimal functioning and ultimate meaning emerged with surprising clarity.

Cancer patients use of nonproven therapy: a 5-year follow-up study

PURPOSE

To investigate the prospective pattern of use of alternative medicine, here called nonproven therapy (NPT), among oncologic patients during a 5-year period, and the relationship between this use and survival, a questionnaire-based follow-up study was performed at the Department of Oncology, University of Tromsø, from 1990 to 1996.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Two-hundred fifty-two patients answered the first questionnaire during the period July 1990 to July 1991. Eligible patients were mailed follow-up questionnaires after 4, 12, 24 and 60 months. A telephone interview performed after the last follow-up questionnaire showed little disagreement with the prospective collected information as regards the number of patients reported as users of NPT (kappa, 0.92).

RESULTS

The number of patients who reported ever using NPT in each cross-sectional part of the study varied between 17.4% and 27.3%. However, the estimated cumulative risk of being a user of NPT during the follow-up period was 45%. Seventy-four percent of NPT users in this north Norwegian study population used faith healing or healing by hand (spiritual NPT) alone or in combination with other forms of NPT. The proportion of patients who used spiritual versus nonspiritual forms of NPT was consistent throughout the follow-up period. Women were more often users than men (50% v 31%, P = .002). Patients older than 75 years of age seldomly used NPT. The 5-year observed survival rate was not influenced by the use of NPT. Adjusted for sex, age, and diagnosis, patients with a high educational level had a borderline higher 5-year survival rate than patients with less education (P = .06).

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that cross-sectionally designed studies will underestimate the number of ever-users of NPT in a cancer patient population. The use of NPT does not influence observed survival among cancer patients seen in north Norway.

From cognitive information to shared meaning: healing principles in prevention intervention

Families with parental affective disorder participated in a large-scale longitudinal study which involved participation in a standardized, short-term, psychoeducational preventive intervention. These families were followed for at least 3 years. An analysis of clinical material from the first 12 families to complete the intervention identified specific healing principles that contributed to positive changes in behavior and attitude. The healing elements of the intervention included demystification of the illness, modulation of shame and guilt, increase in the capacity for perspective taking, and development of a hopeful perspective and belief in one's own competence. Therapeutic effectiveness evolved in a process that linked cognitive information and presented depression as an illness that could be understood with the acknowledgement of family members' individual and collective experience. In this way, families developed a shared understanding of the illness that was useful over time. This article discusses the ways in which the healing principles promoted changes in family members' behavior and attitude, which, in turn, enhanced resiliency in children.

Not just a time-out: change dynamics of prayer for religious couples in conflict situations

For religious couples, the spiritual domain stands alongside biological, psychological, and systemic domains as an influence upon interaction and mechanism for change. A qualitative methodology consisting of structured interviews of religious spouses was used to investigate effects of prayer on couple interaction during conflict. A reliable description of the dynamics of prayer across spouse interviews was extracted by four analysts using a group interpretive procedure. Findings suggest that prayer invokes a couple-God system, which significantly influences couple interaction during conflict. Overall, prayer appears to be a significant "softening" event for religious couples, facilitating reconciliation and problem solving. Prayer 1) invokes an experience of relationship with Deity; 2) deescalates hostile emotions and reduces emotional reactivity; 3) enhances relationship and partner orientation and behavior; 4) facilitates empathy and unbiased perspective; 5) increases self-change focus; and 6) encourages couple responsibility for reconciliation and problem solving. Therapists' support of religious couples' use of prayer as a change mechanism is considered.