Sammanfattning
The value of good encounters can be traced to early medicine. The importance of encounters is rising because of the increasing proportion of patients with chronic disease, and knowledge of effects on patient’s restitution and survival. The health promoting encounter is a relational encounter between two parts with complementary competences, the professionals’ medical knowledge and the patients’ unique knowledge on their own life. Empowerment is a key-concept, and the patient is seen as a competent partner in a collaborative work for health. Confidence, knowledge, creativity and flexibility are prerequisites for organizations supporting this. The art of creating health promoting encounters can be learned, but the need of new pedagogic methods for dissemination of knowledge is large.