title: Healing presence.
abstract: Medicine is the art and science of restoring and preserving health through the healing process. The science of medicine lies in evidenced based practices and the technological achievements of the last century, which enable practitioners to preserve the physical body. A growing number of research articles and writings have also appeared addressing the spiritual dimension of healing (the art of medicine), which often ignored creates a gap in the medical care of the patient. The spiritual aspects of medical care are explored based on the experience of the doctor-patient encounter. Three case studies of various clinical settings are presented to begin to look at the spiritual aspect of healing and better define its incorporation in the encounters with patients. The author reflects on the skills and concepts that begin to define the spiritual dimension of care: communication (listening, speaking), connection (space, safety, and sacredness), and communion through which healing can occur. As health care professionals we can be a "healing" (Hopeful, Empathetic, Attentive, Loving, Intentional, Nourishing, Grateful) presence taking care of the physical, mental and spiritual needs of our patients in our encounters with them, bringing them back to health and wholeness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Saint Vincent's Catholic Medical Center, Manhattan, New York, NY 10003, USA.
authors.forename: Jacqueline C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Perez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010021:Osteopathic Medicine; D010327:Pastoral Care; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D029181:Spirituality