Nurturing the "inner healer"

Article Abstract:

The author, a surgeon who has made the transition from operating to counseling and organizing support groups for cancer patients, describes his views on how people are healed, and describes how he came to hold these views. While working as a surgeon in a small hospital, he first discovered that the aspect of medicine he enjoyed most was talking with patients about their lives in relation to their health problems. From this realization he decided to pursue training in counseling, and began a tutorial with a man he describes as extraordinary - a physician, priest, Freudian analyst, recovering alcoholic and cancer survivor. This man, Dr. Barry Wood, led him to meet Dr. Bernie Siegel, another surgeon who is well-known for his work and writings concerning healing of cancer patients. Deeply inspired, the author founded a network of support groups for people with cancer. He then made the decision to stop performing surgery, and while he still sees patients part-time, the focus of his work is the support groups, known as HOPE (Healing of Persons Exceptional). From these experiences, the author has come to believe that a ''healer'' does not actually heal the patient, but only facilitates the patient's inner healer. The role of the health professional is therefore to awaken, support and nurture the patient's inner healer. The author concludes that he is greatly enjoying the experience of being a true facilitator in his new roles as counselor, workshop speaker, and advisor. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Methods, Practice, Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Siegel, Bernie, Wood, Barry

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Now what?

Article Abstract:

A distinction is made between healing and curing in which healing refers to the quality of life being led and in which curing refers to the body's physical condition. A healed life is a gift which may include a physical cure as a by-product. Physicians can be their patients' guides through the trials of their illnesses. It is important for the patient to realize that statistics and pathology reports do not predict the future. Lifestyle and disease interrelate and the disease reminds us to pay attention to that link. The words with which people describe their illnesses are an expression of the issues in their lives, and by listening to their words, the physician can help them to deal with these issues. Disease is not simply the complex of physical symptoms and signs but a metaphor and an experience. Many terminally ill patients have used their illness as a way to change the way they live, and the consequence of that decision may be a healed life and even a cured disease.

Evaluation

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Raising healthy children

Article Abstract:

One of the factors that can negatively affect a child's health is the lack of love and affection. Infants in intensive care who are stroked and touched gain weight more quickly than infants who are not touched. Unloved children often exhibit poorer growth and have more health problems than children who receive love and affection. One way to produce healthier children who feel loved is to require parents to attend parenting groups. Parents need to let their children know that they love them unconditionally. They should allow children to take off five days from school each year to promote health. Life should be presented as a continuing challenge that can be successfully handled, and that challenges are positive and help us grow. Each human is unique and should be allowed and encouraged to fulfill his or her potential. If all children were loved, the world would be a better place. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Study and teaching, Love, Parenting, Child rearing, editorial

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