SpiritCare, a Course for Hospital Physicians: Addressing Patients' Spiritual Needs
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Authors
Bunnin, Erika
Issue Date
2016
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
National healthcare standards mandate assessing and accommodating hospital patients' spiritual needs in connection with their medical care, yet physicians infrequently address these needs. This paper introduces a course called SpiritCare that teaches hospital physicians how to address patients' spiritual needs. The course provides information about the role of spirituality in patients' health and healthcare decisions. Physicians learn that many patients want physicians to address their spiritual needs. Obstacles that prevent physicians from initiating spiritual discussions with patients are explored. Class participants learn how to conduct spiritual assessments and when to refer patients to hospital chaplains. Physicians focus on the sources of support and meaning in their lives, as self-care helps maintain their health and supports their patients better. SpiritCare aims to increase the number of hospital physicians who facilitate patients' spiritual needs being met and, in doing so, meet national healthcare standards and honor patients' wishes.