Translating Spirituality and Medicine in the Healing Professions

When one investigates the literal landscape in search of a manual that discusses how spirituality and medicine can be translated in the ministry and medical professions, not much is found. Drs. Hodges and Betton have breached this chasm and produced a manuscript devoted to the Christian perspective of translating these two important cultural paradigms. Over the past 10 years, these authors have convened several of this nation's leaders in the spirituality and medicine disciplines, through the annual Howard University Hospital Spirituality and Medicine Seminar Series. In June of 2009, they identified 11 persons who represent both medicine and ministry (pastors/preachers and physicians) and spent an entire day discussing ways to inform the public of the outcome of their discussions. The result is this wonderful, pocket-sized manual entitled, Translating Spirituality and Medicine in the Healing Professions. It is filled with cutting-edge, bed-side tips to help the physician, academician, pastoral care counselor, community minister/pastor and lay person when they extend their care to those in need, whether these persons are hospitalized, in an extended care facility, hospice environment, or in their personal homes. The manual is divided into four, thought provoking chapters, each ending with a section devoted to translating the topic into practice. Chapter one discusses the healthcare practitioner and his/her call to the ministry. It places particular emphasis on the primacy of one over the other. Chapter two provides resources available to both the pastoral care professional and the healthcare practitioner-clergy person when tackling general health issues and end-of-life care. Examples of living wills, advance directives, and Internet resources are provided. Chapter three discusses the important topic of avoiding burnout (both healthcare professional and clergy) and Chapter four discusses the health-faith paradigm, devoting its emphasis on engaging the parishioner. A special section, thinking outside of the box is also included. It highlights daunting neighborhood issues and explains how the church employed very effective techniques to create positive change! A concluding section contains a wealth of resources that are particularly useful examples for the professional or laity when translating these two important disciplines in the healing professions.Reverend Mark J. Wade, MD,Associate Pastor, True Vine Christian Center,Fair Lawn, NJ