Developing a tool to measure holistic practice: a missing dimension in outcomes measurement within complementary therapies.

Despite the wide and continuing debate over the relevance of particular research methods to evaluate complementary therapies, less attention has been given to what outcome criteria and measures to use and/or whether these have a sufficient breadth in perspective. While complementary and alternative medicine researchers have paid heed to the importance of measuring the subjective experience of therapy users, they have left unmeasured the notion of holism, in particular, the measurement of the effect of the interaction between therapist and therapy user, and its underlying philosophy of health and healing. This paper reports on an exploratory, qualitative study aimed at developing a measure of holism and holistic practice. It draws out some key features requiring measurement and provides insight into the emerging measure. Further development work is needed before the measure can be used within research or routine practice.