Foreword
In The Spiritual Dimension of Healthcare, Karen Scott Barss encourages a thoughtful, intentional approach to healing, blending a variety of resources with a commitment to inclusivity. Drawing from evidence-based practices and personal experience, she takes the reader on a reflective journey to understand and embody spirituality, an integral aspect of holistic health. While holistic health integrates all aspects of care from physical, to mental, emotional, social, environmental, and spiritual, Barss invites readers to explore practices that nurture the spiritual dimension of both giving and receiving care.
The spiritual dimension, as subjective and diverse as humanity itself, explores how individuals seek and find meaning, purpose, and connection in the face of life’s challenges. The challenges we are facing in our healthcare system today encourage us to explore new care approaches that can lead to a stronger, more resilient system that prioritizes holism, including spiritual health.
By addressing the often overlooked spiritual dimension, we can foster a more holistic and compassionate approach to care. Perhaps the spiritual dimension has been overlooked because it necessitates a holistic approach that transcends clinical expertise. It requires mindfulness, intentionality, reflection, empathy, and a commitment to honoring each individual’s beliefs and desires as they navigate their healing journey. As individuals increasingly prioritize their spiritual and emotional well-being alongside physical health, healthcare systems must adapt to provide a more comprehensive and compassionate approach to care.
At the heart of this work is the TRUST model, an affirming framework that fosters growth, healing, and renewed trust when care is provided holistically—encompassing body, mind, heart, and spirit. The chapters serve as a gentle yet comprehensive guide to the complexities of spiritual care, with reflective activities encouraging self-awareness and outward connections to families, communities, and the world.
What truly sets this book apart is Barss’s dedication to creating an experience for the reader who is encouraged to pause, reflect, discern and engage with what resonates most deeply with their own beliefs and experiences. By highlighting sacred moments in caregiving, such as the comforting presence of a nurse, or the resilience of a patient finding strength in faith, Barss emphasizes the vital role of spirituality in healing, offering solace, hope, and meaning in times of vulnerability. This is a handbook to be lived, not just read—a resource that prioritizes wellness and respect for the diversity of worldviews.
The reader is challenged to reimagine healthcare as not merely the treatment of illness, but as an opportunity to embrace the wholeness of the human experience. The author skillfully weaves together wisdom from ancient traditions, modern research, and practical insights, painting a vivid picture of how spiritual care can transform not only individual lives but also entire healthcare systems.
Whether you are a healthcare provider, a patient, or are on a personal spiritual journey, this book offers wisdom and guidance, inviting you to connect your inner and outer worlds and embrace the wholeness of the human experience. Through this journey, Barss encourages us to see healing as a sacred gift and the integration of spiritual care as something that can transform both lives and healthcare systems.
As you turn these pages and embark on this journey, I encourage you to approach them with an open heart and a curious mind. Let this exploration of the spiritual dimensions of healthcare inspire you to see healing not just as a process, but as a profound, sacred gift. May the insights within these pages support your well-being, deepen your understanding, and inspire your practice of care—both for yourself and for others.
Sherry Hole MN BN RN, HWNC-BC, HN-BC, CCHNC-C, Integrative Mental Health Coach
Distinguished Scholar-Global Academy of Holistic Nurse Scholars (GAHN)
Founder, CEO & Lead Instructor, The Canadian Institute of Integrative Nursing Development & Education Ltd. ©
Co-Author of Reviving the Heart of Nurses, One Story at a Time: How Holistic Nursing and Nurse Coaching Will Change your Life (2025 Release)
