Understanding public perceptions of healing: An arts-based qualitative study

•‘Healing’ means different things in different contexts; little is known about how the general public understands the term.•This study explored the meaning of healing among members of the public using an innovative arts-based qualitative approach.•The metaphors people used portrayed healing as coming from an external force, from other people, or from within.•Healthcare practitioners could benefit from this insight into lay perceptions of healing.