Date of Defense
4-18-2023
Date of Graduation
4-2023
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Susan Houtrouw
Second Advisor
Elissa Allen
Abstract
This thesis can be interpreted as a fundamental and comprehensive resource that addresses major discussion points of spiritual care (SC) within the healthcare setting. It begins with definition of SC, information surrounding its value within healthcare, the qualifications necessary to practice it, simple yet effective tools and questions to perform SC, as well as acknowledgment of notable barriers and complications, and how those can be dealt with. SC correlates with not only the patient’s physical and mental health, but how it may impact medical practice, depending on how much an individual’s spirituality, religion, etc. affects their life. Healthcare providers should keep in mind that each licensed professional may play a different role in the SC process of patients. Regardless of the role, SC does not require extensive religious knowledge or certifications but rather an acknowledgment that each specialty (i.e physicians, nursing, social work, etc.) can utilize their particular roles (ex. assessments or referrals) in various ways. Furthermore, it should be a goal for these varying specialties to discover and utilize a minimum of one tool or method in which providing SC works best according to their discipline. Even with the challenges associated with SC, providers must focus their mindset on the fact that patients’ spiritual well-being can be as essential as their physical and mental health. Amidst there being a lack of time and training in some circumstances, organizations should provide staff with opportunities to combat this to maintain compliance to national guidelines regarding SC. Lastly, in terms of improving SC in the future, providers should continue to develop a basic understanding of common terms prior to the incorporation of SC into their practice as a means of enhancing their confidence in performing SC with patients. With various studies and organizations (that set standards for healthcare) having found SC to be very significant, it has been recognized that patients are seeking for this component of their life to be assessed, and if necessary, interventions and resources provided. Overall, this research has broadly overviewed major discussion points when approaching SC in the healthcare setting.
Recommended Citation
Sirrine, Summer, "Spiritual Care Within the Field of Healthcare" (2023). Honors Theses. 3641.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/3641
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Open Access