From Theory to Practice: the Historical Development of Salutogenesis and Its Implementation in Medical Settings As an Element of Patientcentered Care

Introduction. The concept of salutogenesis, as opposed to pathogenesis, focuses not on the diseases but on approaches to enhancing health through stress management and resilience building. This approach is particularly relevant in implementing a patient-centered approach within medical organizations, where not only the direct treatment outcomes but also the patient experience and level of subjective well-being of the patient during examinations and treatment are crucial. This article examines the historical development of the concept of salutogenesis and its implementation in practice to improve treatment conditions for patients. The salutogenic approach is analysed as a tool for enhancing patient-centered approach in medical organizations. Objective. To present the history of the development of the concept of salutogenesis and to summarize the experience of applying salutogenic design approaches in the context of enhancing patient-centered care in medical organizations. Materials and methods. A search for original studies was conducted in the MEDLINE/ PubMed and Google Scholar databases using keywords and MeSH terms in English and Russian, including “salutogenic design”, “salutogenesis”, “salutogenic architecture”, “biophilic design”, “health”, “health outcomes”, “patients”, “patient outcomes”, “patient-centered care”, “patient-centered approach”, and their Russian equivalents. Results. Salutogenic design in healthcare organizations helps create a resilient internal environment, enhancing both the patient experience and staff satisfaction with working conditions. Implementing salutogenic design principles requires an interdisciplinary approach involving healthcare management, architecture, psychology, and related fields. A substantial body of research highlights the influence of a healthcare organization’s internal environment on individuals' physical and psychological well-being, as well as practical applications of the salutogenic approach in medical practice, making it a promising tool for enhancing patient-centered care in the healthcare system/