Love medicine for the dying and their caregivers: the body of evidence.
We present a body of evidence for love medicine, originating in the shamanic physical/spiritual healing arts, embodying end-of-life (EOL) palliation through relationships of loving, artful witness between caregivers and receivers. We base the conclusions of our professional (doctor) and familial (spouse) practices on the practitioner/research methodology, Appreciative Inquiry , focused on life-affirming experiences, and epitomizing love medicine in 'building' relationship through artful narratives between caregiver and receiver (experiential model), to complement 'taking' clinical histories (biomedical model). Our witness to these healing effects, supported by relevant literature, builds a body of evidence for the power of love in EOL care.
Lander
Dorothy A
DA
Department of Adult Education, St Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada. dlander@stfx.ca
Graham-Pole
John R
JR
D056447:Animal Assisted Therapy; D001293:Attitude to Death; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D006694:Holistic Health; D006738:Hospices; D006801:Humans; D008149:Love; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology*