House Calls: How We Can All Heal the World One Visit at a Time

by Patch Adams, Jerry Van Amerongen (Illustrator)

Dr. Patch Adams knows the inner side of healing. House Calls is a reminder that some of the most important factors in healing are not high-tech marvels but ordinary factors such as love, compassion, friendship, and hope. This book will lighten anyone's heart and assist him or her on a healing journey.

Genres: Nonfiction, Medical, Humor, Health

159 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1998

About the author

Hunter Doherty "Patch" Adams (born May 28, 1945) is an American physician, comedian, social activist, clown, and author.

Reviews

[Christine Jolley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will always have a special place for Patch Adams who helped me during one of the most difficult times of my life. Long story but the real man is kinder than the movie could ever portray.

[Chriss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yep... this is how I lived with my special needs child and the other 39 foster kids.

[Sarah Towry · Rating 4 out of 5]

"If wisdom's a diamond, experience is a diamond mine... 'Wisdom'- how appropriate that it sounds like a combination of 'wise' and 'dumb.' Often, wisdom is knowing how dumb you are in the larger scheme of things."- Patch Adams
A simple and thought provoking read. That's the first description that comes to mind when reviewing this book. It was an easy read with laughter and wisdom all along the way. One could pick it up and read within a day, and it would feel like a productive day for sure. This is a great read for health care workers, those in any highly people related career, and most importantly for anyone looking to grow in their character and relationships with others. Dr. Adams has a unique perspective on the doctor/hospital-patient relationship that I am glad he shares with the world. Yes. Some of his advice offered may be rather idealistic, but it reminds me that we all have a dreamer inside that we need to continue to nourish even, and maybe more so, as we grow older.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have owned this book by Patch Adams, MD since 1998. I am. Nurse Practitioner since 1993. After seeing the Patch Adams movie I was interested in reading his medical philosophy. His displayed a great amount of wisdom entwined in his playful personality. He particularly focused his health care in West Virginia on those who had minimum access to healthcare providers. So explains the title, House Calls. I remember reading this book back in 1998 but picking it up this month again I saw the book so differently. I found this book enlightening not just to a Nurse Practitioner but to one of the largest number of Senior citizens in America today. I was reading this book now as a very different person! This book shows how easily we seniors can help each other! Read through this book and you will discover that we can cure each other pretty easily. Simple human interchange is exceptionally curative and as a retired group now we have a lot of time to do human interchange. Now THAT is what makes America great. I am glad I picked up this book while cleaning out things boxed up for years. Look for this book. You will enjoy the cartoons illustrating examples of curative human interchange. You may be inspired to deliver a little good health as a “social provider”. Interaction provides more than happiness—it is the best medicine ever. By the way, every morning I go out at 6:00 A.M and place the thrown amiss daily newspaper at the doors of my 80+ neighbors. It is my “social medicine” of the day. Stay well.

[Dr FB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patch's book is about finding the heart of people at home. It shares how Patch visits the emotional heart of his patients and how the healing process should be a loving experience for all the patients, families, and healthcare providers! ALL Medical and Nursing students should read this book!
5 of 5 stars

[Deborah Gaspar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped healthcare leadership learn that medicine can have a humor side.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a light-hearted book that has a lot of excellent points in it about visiting the sick and/or hospitalized. The illustrations are a hoot. The advice is sound and well worth the read.

[Margaret Elder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very quick read that has sound advice although it may be a little dated (I wouldn't advise just walking up to a nurse or custodian and giving a shoulder massage, for instance). Because the book is written by a famous doctor who has respect for the psychosocial aspects of medicine and healing, I felt that most advice was quite sound. The little book -- which is laden with cartoons to amuse the reader and drive home the author's points -- has lots of simple advice that anyone can accomplish to both help patients recover and to help the reader have a more fulfilling life. I have seen so many people make bad visits to patients (especially in the category of staying too long) that I do wish he had written more about what not to do also, but I would recommend this book to anyone..

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

For what it is, this is a great book that fills a niche in healthcare. How do you visit someone in the hospital/extended care facility and make it a good visit? One that brings healing and health to the patient? Great book for that. Again, as in Patch's other book the story is kind of uneven. GOOD CONTENT, could be better organized. But, if I had a lot of money, I'd order this book for hospices to pass out to their hospice volunteers. It's a GREAT way to learn how to be a comfort and friend and comedian for those who most need all three of those things--folks who aren't feeling well.

[Chinarut · Rating 4 out of 5]

while i cant say the cartoons made me roll on the floor, i think what is most inspiring is the Geshundheit Institute Patch Adams managed to create. the presence of the healing arts is so dearly missing from our medical institutions today - and to hear it is now the center and heart (no pun intended) of an ecovillage is amazing!

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not even sure what to say about this book! I think all hospitals should instill partial if not all of this book into their place of "business". I gave this book to my grandmother to understand who Patch Adams was and what he represents, she thoroughly enjoyed every bit of this book.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patch Adams is the MD they made a movie about starring Robin Williams. This book is in cartoon format. How to be a good patient and a better visitor.

[Erinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable book. Fun to read and full of inspiring truths.

[Pasquale · Rating 5 out of 5]

good, educational

[Robert Sacerich · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is an odd mix of common wisdom, absolutely quackery, and mental illness denialism. I don't recommend it.