ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the three theories that looks at the physician healer role in three different respects. The first in terms of the process of the consultation, the second in terms of the different levels of relationship between therapist and patient, the third looks at the economic implications of the physician healer. At the beginning, most patients will want to get better and this desire will both pre-date and initiate the consultation. In a few, where there is no real desire to get better, the healing process is likely to be blocked. This may occur, for instance, in cases where there is litigation involved or secondary gain. The doctor who provides passive healing to his patients is maintaining the traditional doctor–patient relationship with the doctor himself being regarded as the healer. In the advanced relationship between doctor and patient the doctor becomes a director rather than dictator of healthcare.
