Comparison of nurses and alternative healers

Area of Science:

• Holistic health
• Comparative ethnography
• Complementary and alternative medicine

Background:

• Nurses and alternative healers frequently employ a holistic philosophy.
• Both groups often utilize therapeutic touch in practice.
• Shared concepts in health and healing domains exist between these professions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the concepts of health and healing between nurses and alternative healers.
• To identify commonalities and differences in their approaches.
• To explore the influence of social factors on these practices.

Main Methods:

• Ethnographic research design.
• Comparative analysis of health and healing concepts.
• Identification of common activity categories: physical, mental, attitudinal, relational, spiritual, self-caring, and help-seeking.

Main Results:

• A significant similarity was observed in the holistic approach to health and healing.
• Key differences emerged in the locus of responsibility and the role of spirituality.
• These variations may be attributed to diverse social factors within their respective practice settings.

Conclusions:

• Nurses and alternative healers share core holistic principles but differ in specific aspects of responsibility and spirituality.
• Social and practice setting factors likely explain these observed differences.
• Understanding these nuances can inform interprofessional collaboration and patient-centered care.