Spirituality in Palliative Care
In this chapter we explore the role of spirituality in palliative care. I have been inspired by my chaplain and psychology colleagues, as well as by some physicians who have been delving into this arena through various forms of reflection rounds and Schwartz presentations.
CAPC (Center to Advance Palliative Care) defines Spirituality as: The transcendent dimension of a person's life. May be described in terms of inspiration, meaning, and/or value. An organized religion may be part of an individual's spiritual experience.
Loss of meaning, existential suffering, fear of afterlife can add to patient's despair. Spiritual resilience, identification with meaning, shifting sense of purpose, often religion can help patients transcend their suffering as well. Part of our role as palliative care clinicians is to identify suffering in this realm and know how to help - whether directly, or by tapping the shoulder of one of our colleagues. Part of our role is also to understand some basic tenets of different religious traditions, especially with how they apply to decision-making, identification of suffering, enhanced communication, cultural identity
The goals of the chapter:
CAPC (Center to Advance Palliative Care) defines Spirituality as: The transcendent dimension of a person's life. May be described in terms of inspiration, meaning, and/or value. An organized religion may be part of an individual's spiritual experience.
Loss of meaning, existential suffering, fear of afterlife can add to patient's despair. Spiritual resilience, identification with meaning, shifting sense of purpose, often religion can help patients transcend their suffering as well. Part of our role as palliative care clinicians is to identify suffering in this realm and know how to help - whether directly, or by tapping the shoulder of one of our colleagues. Part of our role is also to understand some basic tenets of different religious traditions, especially with how they apply to decision-making, identification of suffering, enhanced communication, cultural identity
The goals of the chapter:
- Review the definitions and the evaluation of spirituality and spiritual suffering;
- Reflect on the role that spirituality may play in self-care of clinicians in the field of hospice & palliative care.
Articles
Recommended reading from Tom Sheehan, UMass Memorial Chaplain:
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BooksThe Soul of Medicine: Spiritual Perspectives and Clinical Practice by John R Peteet & Michael N D'Ambra Amazon link Powells link
Podcasts, links and blogs on spirituality and palliative careHealthcare Chaplaincy Network "Caring for the Human Spirit"
A fabulous online blog and resource about spirituality, meaning, purpose, and on being human.
A Presence in the Wild - Interview with Kate Braestrup, Chaplain to the Game Wardens in Maine (Krista Tippett On Being)
Approaching Prayer - Interview with Anoushka Shankkar, Stephen Mitchell, and Robderta Bondi (Krista Tippett On Being)
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