REVIEWED BY GERARD T. BROCCOLO, STD
Spirituality & Health Care: Reaching toward a Holistic Future
By John Shea
The Park Ridge Center, Chicago
2000, 140 pp., $12.95 (paperback)
In this fascinating exploration of the contemporary conversation between health care and spirituality, Jack Shea blends insightful research and poetic intuition with his own singularly masterful style as storyteller. On one hand, he accurately summarizes the practical concerns that health care professionals today bring to this dialogue; on the other hand, he clearly respects the diverse intellectual approaches taken over the centuries in the professional study of the multifaceted mystery of spirituality.
I recommend this book to all who work in health care. It is single best overview I have read to date about where and how spirituality fits into our workplace culture, our patient/resident care, and our community partnerships. Any book by Jack is stimulating and inspirational. In this one, as he addresses the convergence of some very complex issues in health care delivery today, he is also comprehensive and incisive. In the words of my colleague, Sr. Diane Traffas, OP, "he is certainly up to date and hits the nail on the head about an exploding spirituality culture."
Gerard T. Broccolo, STD
Vice President, Spirituality
Catholic Health Initiatives
Denver
Copyright © 2001 by the Catholic Health Association of the United States
For reprint permission, contact Betty Crosby or call (314) 253-3477.