The holistic approach focuses on treating the person rather than symptoms. Many symptoms and illnesses are caused by and worsened by a person’s attitudes, behaviors, environment, and reactions to stress. Indeed, multiple studies show that 60%-80% of visits to primary care physicians are influenced or directly caused by stress or the inability to cope with life circumstances.
To fight this problem, holistic medicine views the patient as an engaged learner and active participant in their health. The doctor must help identify unique physical, psychological and social needs and work together with the patient to formulate interventions for attaining the greatest possible quality of life (in the context of the patient’s environment and life circumstances).