In this book, we present a novel framework of high-tech modern medicine. Patients going through major high-tech medical interventions, e.g. Advanced Heart Failure (AdHF) patients undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation and heart transplantation, must integrate scientific and technological advances into personal life, including strong emotional experiences unthinkable thirty years ago, novel to themselves and their caregivers and unknown to healthcare professionals. Our book provides a theoretical framework for the person-centered vision to “heal humankind by improving health, alleviating suffering and delivering acts of kindness, one person at a time”, we develop the theoretical as well as practical concept of the “RelationalAct (RA) ” as core concept to engage and participate in modern medicine.

This book will be used as a recommended textbook for the following UCLA Fall 2014 course:

Course Director: Professor Federica Raia / Co-Director: Professor Mario Deng

Course Title: Educational Perspectives of Relational Practices in Modern Medicine

Course Summary: This UCLA course systematically discusses Personhood & Body Concepts in the context of asymmetric Person/Person-relationships in High-Tech Modern Medicine and the diverse implications for building of theories of Relational Practice.

Course Topics: Personhood/Body Concepts; Asymmetric Person/Person-relationships; Theories of Relational Practice