In the past, leadership was very corrupt, which pushed many churches to develop a legalistic fortress mentality to cultivate their own identity. But this produced a Christian subculture or a Christian ghetto, with less and less influence in society. Our churches are slowly recovering from this fortress mentality, but they are not recovered enough to support the Foundation for Life and Mission, which I head. Our ministry is not very representative for my culture. Sixty-one percent of patients expect from medical personnel expressive functions, or efforts directed to emotional needs, even more than in Sweden.
Patients have an emotional vacuum that they expect filled.
According to the World Health Organization, health is not just a lack of disease but good physical and emotional well-being. In different parts of Europe, 30-50 percent of patients were found to have no organic disorders whatsoever when they came to the doctor. More than 30 percent had complaints of a psychosocial nature related to marital and family relationships and environmental problems. Only 39 percent of patients focus on instrumental functions, medical knowledge, medical expertise, equipment, and professional qualifications. The main challenge before us is to focus on the person of the patient, to see him as a whole being.