All of Me

Reviews / Votes

As we human beings have acquired more and more in-depth knowledge about the various systems of the body and their functioning, and as medicine has become increasingly specialized, we have lost sight of the way in which our person is an amalgam of physical, emotional, spiritual, and social realities that interact and interrelate constantly. All of Me argues for a holistic view of the human person so that medical care and intervention can work collaboratively with the whole person and not simply address the material/physical components of a patient's existence while ignoring the other dimensions of a patient's personhood. Rev. Dr. Boursier does a masterful job of articulating the consequences of our failure to work deliberately toward this interdisciplinary and integrative approach to caregiving. Grounding her work in the actual experiences of patients, Boursier articulates a path forward that is inspiring and practical for anyone who finds themselves in a caregiving role either professionally or in a familial context. -- Rev. Rob Mueller * Missions Pastor, Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church, Austin, TX * This is a thoughtfully written book that brings patient-centered spirituality to life. Drawing from her own ICU experience and interviews with over forty former hospital patients, Helen Boursier offers caregivers rare insight into the healing power of presence, compassion, and attentive listening. A must-read for anyone who seeks to care for others with both skill and heart. -- Meredith Patterson * RN, BSN, CRRN, author of Pillars of Brain Fitness * Well-grounded and wide-ranging research underpin Boursier's forceful case for listening to patients to help them heal. She shows how health care professionals need not be spiritual or religious in order to provide a holistic therapeutic presence. -- Marcia Z. Nelson * MDiv, author and retired hospital chaplain * All of Me is critically important for caregivers of all types because it documents why and how patients are better served when they are treated, along with science, with respect, empathy, and spiritually compassionate care. As a nurse of over 50 years, but more importantly, as one who has received healthcare services, sometimes patient-centered and sometimes not, as the patient testimonials in All of Me support, spiritually sensitive patient-centered care is the best. The evidence-based practices All of Me documents facilitate a higher quality of care. In addition, as a long-term health care facility owner, contrary to what some may believe, patient-centered holistic caregiving also is more cost effective! -- Mary Johnson * MSN, HRD, Human Resources Development and Health Services Management *