Healing from surgery: a phenomenological study

A phenomenological study explored the experience of healing in nine post-surgical patients. Extensive interviews were conducted at one and four weeks after hospital discharge. A follow-up interview was conducted after participants reviewed descriptions of the experience. Healing included four overlapping themes: Active Participation (personal responsibility to assist in the healing process); Achieving Balance (reintegration of the whole system); Evolving Beyond (examination of goals, values and priorities); and Healing Process (change over time and connections between themes).