What is PRIME?

Who we are

PRIME is an international network of Christians involved in healthcare education. We are committed to improving the quality and depth of the medical care of patients, especially those in poorer situations. We do this in partnership with health care providers worldwide, to give teaching that equips, inspires and empowers them to give excellent clinical care for the whole person. We have a tutor base of over 100 health care professionals who are experienced medical educators at university and postgraduate levels.

Why PRIME?

World Health Organization Report 1998: "Until recently the health professions have largely followed a medical model, which seeks to treat patients by focusing on medicines and surgery, and gives less importance to beliefs and to faith in healing, in the physician and in the doctor-patient relationship. This reductionist or mechanistic view of patients is no longer satisfactory. Patients and physicians have begun to realise the value of elements such as faith, hope, and compassion in the healing process"

What we do

PRIME seeks to redress this balance and restore a compassionate whole person perspective to modern medicine. This is achieved through direct training activities and educating the trainers by equipping them with appropriate skills and support networks. PRIME courses are designed to be acceptable to and accessible by medical professionals, of all faiths or of none, skills and support networks.

Further Information

What is PRIME? PDF (224kb)

What can PRIME offer? PDF (602kb)

"Much of medical training seems to be focused on how to deal with things - for example, a liver or a result from a liver function test - rather than how to cope with people, such as patients and colleagues. This lack of training on how to deal with people could mean doctors are ill equipped when it comes to this vital part of their jobs. This explains much of their subsequent stress." Persaud R. BMJ Career Focus 2004;329:87

PRIME is a registered Charity in the UK. Charity Registration Number: 1111521. Registered Office: PRIME, Innovation Centre, Highfield Drive, Churchfields, St Leonards. TN38 9UH.
© PRIME 2007. All Rights Reserved