The Hospital Handbook: A Practical Guide to Hospital Visitation

Truly a practical guide to hospital visitation and a useful resource for the experienced pastor or concerned lay visitor.––The Clergy Journal

Hospital visitation is a vital part of any church’s ministry. Written for the divinity student, the beginning or experienced pastor, and the lay person, this helpful handbook offers comprehensive guidance on many important aspects of pastoral care of the hospitalized.

Valuable advice and practical information on how to understand the hospital structure, gain access to its systems, and establish rapport with the staff.

• General explanation of hospital protocol and etiquette.
• Discussion on the emotional aspects of illness and the opportunity for spiritual inquiry.
• Resources for prayers, scripture readings, and sacraments.
• Detailed information on the needs of specific patient types, including children, adolescents, substance abuse, AIDS, psychiatric, and the terminally ill.
• Glossary of medical terms.

Lawrence D. Reimer is a minister emeritus at the United Church of Gainesville, Florida, where he served as its pastor until 2012.

The Rev. James T. Wagner, PhD, served as director of Pastoral Services at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida, where he was also the Grace H. Osborn Clinical Assistant Professor in the Program of Bioethics, Law, and Medicine.