Spiritual care Flashcards
What is encompassed within “total pain”?
Psychological
Spiritual
Social
Physical
What are the barriers to assessing a patients spiritual needs?
Physical - other priorities, unable to communicate
Environmental - lack of privacy
Psychological - fears, taboos, own insecurities
Economic - not enough staff, time or resources
Educational - lack of training or insight into the concept
Which patients should you explore spirituality with?
Life limiting disease - at diagnosis, after treatment, progression, terminal phases
Life changing diseases
Cues from patient
Patient with recurrent attendance for minor illness
How can you explore spirituality?
H - patient source of hope, meaning, comfort, strength etc.
O - organised religion
P - personal spirituality and practices
E - Effect on medical care and end of life care
F - faith and belief
I - importance
C - community
A - address in care
What key topics should you explore when taking a spiritual history?
Goals - important goals if health worsens
Fears and worries
Source of strength
Critical abilities
Trade-offs - how much are they willing to go through for more time
Family - how much do family know about priorities and wishes
What questions may you ask when exploring spirituality?
What else is going on in your life at the moment?
What support do you have?
Do you have people you can talk to?
What is your greatest worry?
What is the most important issue in your life?
What would be the most helpful thing for you?
What do we need to know to give you the best care?
What gives your life meaning?
Where do you get your strength from?
Is religion or faith important to you?
How can you manage spiritual problems?
Dont need to fix problem Show compassion Active listening can help itself - validate issues, prevent feelings of abandonment Encourage realistic hope Offer choices Refer to religious professionals
What is spirituality?
Various definitions:
Transcendent
Value-guidance
Structural-behaviourist
Why should doctors be able to identify spiritual needs?
Avoid unmet patient needs and overmedication
What are the benefits of spiritual care?
Increased compassion
Health benefits - live longer, cope better, enhanced recovery
Chance to reconnect with own spirituality
Avoid over-medicalisation
What is spiritual care?
“care which recognises and responds to the needs of the human spirit”
Give examples of spiritual care
Allowing patients to connect/reconnect with God
Management of feelings
Overcoming regrets
Forgiveness
Maintaining relationships that give meaning to life
Practicing rituals
