Is a hospital without soul a body repair shop?

Hay House’s April 2010 newsletter, Present Moments features an inspirational excerpt, "Beyond Assembly-Line Health Care", from Thomas Moore’s new book Care of the Soul in Medicine. In this passage, Moore explains “Why a hospital without a soul is just a body repair shop ...” through his description of a personal fall that required a trip to his local hospital’s emergency department:

“My first impression was not a positive one. The receptionists were too busy and rushed. Maybe they did a quick triage and decided I had minor abrasions. There were people present with serious problems. But I was treated brusquely and felt no sense of care. I didn’t feel that I was in a place of healing as much as a “factory” where the assembly line was moving too quickly.”

Moore writes:

“The soul is the invisible factor that draws people together, brings out their humanity, and gives depth and meaning to whatever they do. When you treat people as objects, as cases and syndromes and machines in need of repair, you will not be a healer, not even a doctor or nurse. You will be a technician, a human repairman, a functionary in a world of objects. Soul will not enter into your work, not into your skillful use of techniques and not into your relationship with your patients. Your work will not satisfy you, not because it isn’t worthy work but because there is no soul to give it a deep human pulse.”

Care of the Soul in Medicine is available 15 April 2010.