title: Scientific, philosophical and social informants of holistic health care.
abstract: Concepts drawn from the broad area of non-linear dynamics including chaos and general systems theories have found widespread acceptance not only among health carers but in the broader community. These concepts are presented as partial informants of holistic health care. An uptake of monistic philosophy in Western society and changing social values are also presented as further informants of contemporary notions of holistic health care. Due to the diverse epistemology underpinning contemporary health care practice, the article concludes that individual concepts of holistic health care must differ markedly between health care practitioners who employ a holistic framework in practice.
authors.forename: Joy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mendel
mesh_terms: D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000592:standards; D006694:Holistic Health; D018939:Holistic Nursing / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D011364:Professional Practice; D011788:Quality of Life