spiritual care

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
• 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
  • discouragment, anxiety, anticipatory grief
• assess for signs of spiritual distress
  • tears, guilt
• assess for signs of spiritual despair
  • depression, loss of hope, death wish

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

• holistic medicine