spiritual care

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Introduction

A component of holistic medicine.

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Assessment:

  • assess spiritual/religious preferences
    • verbal cues
    • most patients want their physician to ask about their spiritual beliefs[2]
  • look for visual cues on patient's person & in room regarding spiritual/religious orientation
    • Bible. Koran, Torah
  • Listen for significant comments
    • 'Its all in God's hands'
  • assess for signs of spiritual concerns
  • assess for signs of spiritual distress
  • assess for signs of spiritual despair

Management

  • convey caring, accepting attitude
    • ask
    • What gives your life meaning & hope?
    • What are you searching for spiritually?
    • To whom do you turn when distressed?
  • provide support, encouragement, respect, concept of presence
  • consult chaplain, priest, rabbi or other spiritual leader with patient's consent
  • use techniques of restatement, clarification or silence
  • join in prayer
  • use therapeutic touch
  • include family/significant other in care

Document assessment & management.

Barriers to spiritual care:

  • too many tasks, not enough time
  • inadequate training
  • failure to address own spiritual issues
  • uncomfortable interacting with patients regarding matters of the spirit

Component of

References

  1. Veterans Administration
  2. 2.0 2.1 Astrow AB, Wexler A, Texeira K, He MK, Sulmasy DP. Is failure to meet spiritual needs associated with cancer patients' perceptions of quality of care and their satisfaction with care? J Clin Oncol. 2007 Dec 20;25(36):5753-7. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18089871