Wholistic Health Care: Evolutionary Conceptual Analysis

Area of Science:

• Healthcare
• Health Sciences
• Integrative Medicine

Background:

• A significant gap exists in published literature defining "wholistic health care."
• Similar terms and varied definitions cause confusion in the field.
• Existing literature lacks a clear, unified conceptualization of wholistic health care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze and define "wholistic health care" using Rodgers' Evolutionary Method.
• To clarify the concept by identifying its attributes, antecedents, and consequences.
• To establish a theoretical definition and conceptual model for wholistic health care.

Main Methods:

• Application of Rodgers' Evolutionary Method to analyze "wholistic health care."
• Descriptive matrix used to reduce and identify attributes, antecedents, and consequences.
• Literature review to synthesize findings and create definitions.

Main Results:

• Identified essential attributes of wholistic health care: faith (spiritual) integrating, health promoting, disease managing, coordinating, empowering, and accessing health care.
• Developed definitions for Wholistic Health Care Provider(s), Wholistic Health, Wholistic Illness, Wholistic Healing, and Patient.
• Defined Wholistic Health Care as patient-centered assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention addressing holistic needs across care levels.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a clear theoretical definition and conceptual model for wholistic health care.
• This framework can guide future research, application development, and effectiveness testing.
• Clarifying the concept of wholistic health care enhances its practical application and scientific understanding.