Healthcare: integrated in the fabric of life.

Healing as a primary function of life touches all aspects of an individual as well as of the collective, be that a community or our society as a whole. Living for the last II years in an intentional community, the Findhorn Community in north-east Scotland, the author has the privilege to explore the relevance of healthcare for individuals and as a community service. Healthcare is much more than medical care. Mostly it is a basic aspect of daily life and relies on self-responsibility, self-care and appropriate resources/opportunities. Should medical care become necessary a wide choice of treatment approaches offered to the patient facilitates patient empowerment and involvement. The author, therefore, advocates the integration of orthodox and complementary medicine.