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A critical review of the definition of ‘wellbeing’ for doctors and their patients in a post Covid-19 era

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  • Gemma Simons
  • David S Baldwin

Abstract

Background: There is no international consensus definition of ‘wellbeing’. This has led to wellbeing being captured in many different ways. Aims: To construct an inclusive, global operational definition of wellbeing. Methods: The differences between wellbeing components and determinants and the terms used interchangeably with wellbeing, such as health, are considered from the perspective of a doctor. The philosophies underpinning wellbeing and modern wellbeing research theories are discussed in terms of their appropriateness in an inclusive definition. Results: An operational definition is proposed that is not limited to doctors, but universal, and inclusive: ‘Wellbeing is a state of positive feelings and meeting full potential in the world. It can be measured subjectively and objectively, using a salutogenic approach’. Conclusions: This operational definition allows the differentiation of wellbeing from terms such as quality of life and emphasises that in the face of global challenges people should still consider wellbeing as more than the absence of pathology.

Suggested Citation

  • Gemma Simons & David S Baldwin, 2021. "A critical review of the definition of ‘wellbeing’ for doctors and their patients in a post Covid-19 era," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 67(8), pages 984-991, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:67:y:2021:i:8:p:984-991
    DOI: 10.1177/00207640211032259
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michael Hogan & Helen Johnston & Benjamin Broome & Claire McMoreland & Jane Walsh & Bryan Smale & Jim Duggan & Jerry Andriessen & Kevin Leyden & Christine Domegan & Patricia McHugh & Victoria Hogan & , 2015. "Consulting with Citizens in the Design of Wellbeing Measures and Policies: Lessons from a Systems Science Application," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 123(3), pages 857-877, September.
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    2. Havrda, Marek & Klocek, Adam, 2023. "Well-being impact assessment of artificial intelligence – A search for causality and proposal for an open platform for well-being impact assessment of AI systems," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    3. Migle Baceviciene & Rasa Jankauskiene, 2022. "The Mediating Effect of Nature Restorativeness, Stress Level, and Nature Connectedness in the Association between Nature Exposure and Quality of Life," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Norah Saud H. AL Hilal, 2024. "The Relationship Between the Sustainability of Brand Marketing Communications and the Well-Being of the Saudi Consumer," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-26, October.
    5. Hye-Young Jang & Jeong-Eun Yang & Yong-Soon Shin, 2022. "A Phenomenological Study of Nurses’ Experience in Caring for COVID-19 Patients," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-14, March.
    6. Nicolas Aguilar-Farias & Francisca Roman Mella & Andrea Cortinez-O’Ryan & Jaime Carcamo-Oyarzun & Alvaro Cerda & Marcelo Toledo-Vargas & Sebastian Miranda-Marquez & Susana Cortes-Morales & Teresa Balb, 2022. "Redrawing Cities with Children and Adolescents: Development of a Framework and Opportunity Index for Wellbeing—The REDibuja Study Protocol," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-13, April.

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    Keywords

    Wellbeing; definition; doctors;
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