title: Comparison of nurses and alternative healers.
abstract: Nurses and alternative healers often share a common holistic philosophy of health and healing as well as the use of therapeutic touch. This ethnography compared the concepts of health and healing used by nurses and alternative healers. Seven categories of activities in healing or health domains common to both groups were physical, mental, attitudinal, relational, spiritual, self-caring, and help-seeking. Similarities were in the holistic approach. Differences were found in locus of responsibility and spirituality. These differences may be largely explained by various social factors in practice settings.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas-Houston, Health Science Center, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Engebretson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D018939:Holistic Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008602:Mental Healing; D008875:Middle Aged; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000458:organization & administration