Despite advances in medical science and technology, improved quality control and tighter regulations, we are seeing a loss of something equally vital in healthcare. Heart -- the deep human connection that makes true healing possible.

Recognising that wellbeing and compassionate connection need to be prioritized for doctors, nurses, caregivers and their patients to thrive, Heart Based Medicine was founded by Prof. Dr Jan Bonhoeffer in 2017 to raise awareness and provide tangible support for overwhelmed medical professionals working in an imbalanced healthcare system.

Our Vision is of a global healing environment where patients are engaged in their own healing journey, where the well-being of every caregiver is supported and encouraged; and where policymakers and administrators put people before profits.

Our Mission

• To introduce heart-based medicine into medical training worldwide
• To establish life-long learning programs for healthcare professionals
• To create patient empowerment programs
• To drive the science of heart-based healing
• To establish a global network of accredited health centers

Is  …  

• heartful
• responsible
• connected
• authentic
• visionary

and it is guided by…

• presence, compassion, kindness
• high standards of care, respect, flexibility
• mindfulness, openness, appreciation
• integrity, transparency, trust
• inspiration, courage, understanding

It’s clear that well-being and compassionate connection need to be prioritized for doctors, nurses, caregivers, and their patients to thrive. The Heart Based Medicine Foundation was established as a not-for-profit public charity by Prof. Dr. Jan Bonhoeffer and his team in 2019 to raise awareness of this need and provide tangible support for overwhelmed medical professionals and patients.

We believe that...true healing happens only when we are connected and practicing with love from our hearts. That authentic 'health-care' is a possibility only when doctors, nurses and therapists embody the spirit of vitality that their patients are seeking. And that an overburdened healthcare system can only rebalance when the teams that fuel it are supported in their wellbeing. As a not-for-profit, we rely on funding to develop courses and resources, and to deliver much-needed support to healthcare professionals around the world.

The impact... is the well-being of healthcare professionals and patients is supported by the integration of heart-based values and practices into medical training and continuous education. Staff retention and team performance are improved by a supportive working culture. Patient safety and satisfaction are significantly higher in heart-led institutions because of an improved therapeutic alliance between patients and health care professionals.

Prevent physician suicide and burnout

Recognizing that the suicide rate of healthcare professionals is double that of the general population and that approximately 50% of medical students will experience burnout in their final year, our community offers training, information and resources that promote physician health and wellbeing.

Expose exploitation and protect patients

A culture of martyrdom and litigation is creating casualties and threatening patient safety. Medical professionals are not superhuman, despite training and working environments that demand a great deal. Heart based practitioners take active steps to learn from their mistakes, ask for help, make balanced decisions and expose unrealistic expectations.

Empower our Patients

Patients deserve to be seen as people, not just problems to be solved. True empathy empowers us to step outside our professional roles and enter into a therapeutic alliance with them. When we resonate in mutual trust without abandoning our medical wisdom, we co-create a healing environment.

Keep our Balance

We take full responsibility for tending our inner flame. Instead of blaming the system and its culture of indifference, we draw strength from actively engaging with our colleagues, patients and loved ones to maintain balance and harmony.

Promote Peace, not War

Harsh words don’t heal. We believe in promoting health rather than fighting disease which is why we use compassionate language to communicate.