The impact of sociocultural factors on a church-based healing model

Since orthodox health practitioners and the church have tended to maintain different values with respect to sickness and care, little attention has been paid to models that combine religious healing and traditional medical and psychiatric care. This study describes such a tripartite collaborative model. Through participation observation and interviews of patients and staff, attention is focused on the impact that sociocultural factors have had on the practical workings of a church-based clinic. (AU)