The concept of health vitality: A framework for rethinking care from an integrative perspective

Objective The concept of vitality, used to describe the state of feeling alive and alert, or even the force of a person’s conatus—the drive to “persevere in one’s being”—has been present throughout ancestral medical traditions across history. However, this concept, situated at the boundary between patient subjectivity and objectivity, remains little explored, understood, or applied in Western clinical practice. This article examines the links between vitality and the philosophy of care, and considers whether vitality, through its multidimensional nature and historical depth, should be granted a central place within integrative medicine.

Methods This reflective paper clarifies the concept of vitality through three main axes of exploration: physiological, psychological, and social dimensions. Clinical implications are then discussed within a public health perspective. Results The literature suggests that vitality is not only an indicator of available energy but also a reflection of how individuals interact with their environment and manage life’s challenges. Discussion Vitality, as an indicator of overall health, provides a promising framework for transforming care practices and reinforcing a transversal, multidimensional approach within health care systems.