Integration Vs Bridge Building
Instead of integrating, many Christian practitioners seek to bridge the gap between their faith, the teachings of Jesus and the mostly secular and scientific world of medicine. Expressed through many practical expressions driven by a ‘whole person’ approach. However, the connection built by bridges often disintegrate when the builder moves on, funding dries up or with social changes. Many of our major charities started life with a Christian ‘whole person’ ethos but now operate entirely under secular guidelines.
While bridge building provides a temporary solution, integrating Christian faith into the medical approach creates an organic practice which can sustain ongoing development long after the life of the originator. In different ways, these methods can be implemented. For example, a better model for delivering ‘whole person’ care in the marketplace could be developing through accredited prayer and blessing practices for professionals. New chaplaincy models can be designed to accommodate people with or without personal faith and praying for the sick.
When Christian practitioners unite and encourage one another in exploring new spaces within the field of ‘whole person’ healthcare delivery, faith becomes centrally integrated into the fabric of medical science.
Whole Person Health Clinics provide a patient-centred model of care. Though time intensive in delivery, patients with multiple health problems are cared for by a GP, a counsellor and a pastoral counsellor.
British General Practice is a universally accessible service to which people can turn in their distress. Existing in General Practice since the late 1990s it is increasingly recognised as a valued Listening and Guidance service.
The Whole Person Health Network is designed to unite like-minded Christian Health and Social Care organisations and individuals under one shared objective and give them a voice.