Translating Spirituality and Medicine in the Healing Professions

READER VIEWS BOOK REVIEW

Translating Spirituality and Medicine in the Healing Professions
Glenda F. Hodges, PhD, JD, MDiv and Harold B. Betton, MD, PhD
AuthorHouse (2010)
ISBN 9781452005614
Reviewed by Vicki Landes for ReaderViews (5/11)

 
     The field of medicine has traditionally served only to simply treat and heal. Yet more and more, patients are looking for doctors who operate on a more broad and holistic platform, addressing more than just their physical needs and subsequent treatments. Enter the Doctor/Minister. These special practitioners not only look to prevent and alleviate disease but provide therapy for the soul. Since very few books have been written to specifically focus on the challenges inherent with the dual nature of a Doctor/Minister, authors Glenda F. Hodges and Harold B. Betton hope to fill that void with their new book. 

     “Translating Spirituality and Medicine in the Healing Professions presents interesting discussions on balancing the different ‘medical’ and ‘minister’ aspects of a Doctor/Minister. They investigate what comes first—the physical or spiritual treatment—based on each unique circumstance and provide thorough examples of each. They also offer valuable information on such important documents as living wills, advanced directives, and powers of attorney for healthcare with appendices in the back as illustrations. Finally, career burnout and “thinking outside the box” are addressed to inspire and advance the Doctor/Minister into a new and more profound level of service while nurturing the doctor’s own personal needs. 

      Translating Spirituality and Medicine in the Healing Professions is meant to be a handy pocket manual for the practitioner. The large line spacing was a little frustrating to get past until I realized this…but it’s perfect for jotting down short notes and ideas on the go, especially if a separate note pad is unavailable. Its small, lightweight size further adds to ease of use. Many medical workers are in a constant ‘go’ state so having a book that is easy to keep in a pocket while moving from one patient to the next can be invaluable. Meant for an educated audience, the language is concise and to the point - perfect for the dual purpose doctor.

     Authors and Drs. Glenda F. Hodges and Harold B. Betton collaborate with over a decade’s worth of experience each to make sense of the questions and concerns associated with being both a medical healer and spiritual guide to their patients. Translating Spirituality and Medicine in the Healing Professions is not only the product of their profound experiences but a follow up to their first book, “Spirituality and Medicine: Can the Two Walk Together.”  Well done.

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