Helhetssyn

Helhetssyn is a Swedish term that denotes a holistic view or perspective. It is an approach that emphasizes the whole system and the interactions between its parts, rather than examining elements in isolation. The core idea is that outcomes emerge from the network of relationships and context surrounding a phenomenon.

Used across disciplines, helhetssyn is common in health care, education, management, urban planning, and sustainability debates. It aligns with concepts such as systems thinking and transdisciplinarity and is often invoked to advocate integrated solutions that span multiple sectors or disciplines.

In health care, helhetssyn supports patient-centered care that considers physical, mental, social, and lifestyle factors; in education, it addresses academic learning alongside social and emotional development; in governance and business, it links strategy with organizational culture, customer needs, and environmental impact.

Critics note that helhetssyn can be vague and difficult to operationalize, especially within large organizations or policy contexts. Implementations may risk overemphasis on consensus, require substantial interdepartmental collaboration, and face measurement challenges.

Related concepts include holistic medicine, systems thinking, and integrative approaches.