Healing journey: a qualitative analysis of the healing experiences of Americans suffering from trauma and illness.

Objectives: To elucidate pathways to healing for people having suffered injury to the integrity of their function as a human being.

Methods: A team of physician-analysts conducted thematic analyses of in-depth interviews of 23 patients who experienced healing, as identified by six primary care physicians purposefully selected as exemplary healers.

Results: People in the sample experienced healing journeys that spanned a spectrum from overcoming unspeakable trauma and then becoming healers themselves to everyday heroes functioning well despite ongoing serious health challenges.