Spirituality in Patient Care

Why, How, When, and What

Harold G Koenig

• Publisher: Templeton Press
• Year: 2013
• ISBN:
  9781599474380
• Topic: Medicina
• Subtopic: Teoria, pratica e riferimenti medici

Praise for the previous edition: "I highly recommend this book as reading for all physicians and would certainly recommend it for any course on medical ethics and/or required reading for any medical student."— Journal of the National Medical Association Since the publication of the first edition of Spirituality in Patient Care in 2002, the book has earned a reputation as the authoritative introduction to the subject for health professionals interested in identifying and addressing the spiritual needs of patients. The body of research on religion, spirituality, and health continues to grow at a dramatic rate, creating an urgent need for a new edition of this landmark work. In this, the third edition, Harold G. Koenig, M.D., updates every chapter by incorporating the newest research and introducing sensible ways of translating that research into caring for patients. Like previous editions, this new one addresses the whys, hows, whens, and whats of patient-centered integration of spirituality into patient care so that health professionals, including physicians in primary care and the medical and surgical specialties, can utilize this information in clinical practice. Whole chapters are also included offering profession-specific information for nurses, clergy, mental health professionals, social workers, and occupational and physical therapists. Other chapters address topics like culturally and spiritually sensitive care for each major religious group, potential limitations or barriers to application, and even what may happen when research on spirituality and health is misapplied. Throughout these chapters, readers will find new case histories and clinical examples on how to integrate spirituality into patient care depending on their particular circumstances. A ten-session model course curriculum on spirituality and health care for medical students and residents is also provided, with suggestions on how to adapt it for nursing, social work, physical and occupational therapy, and mental health training programs. For more than ten years Spirituality in Patient Care has offered sound guidance to anyone wishing to do more than simply treat their patients' physical symptoms. Treating the whole patient often requires becoming something more than just a skilled technician. With this new edition, Dr. Koenig once again shows the way for any health professional seeking to bridge this gap and help patientsregain their lives by finding hope, meaning, and healing.

THIRTEEN

Information on Specific Religions

THIS CHAPTER PROVIDES basic information that health professionals need to know about the health practices of patients from different religious traditions that may influence their health care. The information presented here is not exhaustive, and many religious traditions have not been included because of limited space. The focus is on major religious traditions that HPs are most likely to encounter during their daily work with patients. What is presented here is a condensed version of information contained in chapters by Verna B. Carson in Spiritual Dimensions of Nursing.¹ Information has also been taken from a comprehensive text prepared by Sue Wintz and Earl Cooper for the Association of Professional Chaplains.² The reader should turn to these resources for more details about the care practices of religious traditions covered in this brief synopsis. Remember, though, when there is any doubt about a religious practice related to health care, the HP should always respectfully ask the patient or family about the religious practices that are important to them. Diversity is the rule here, even within a specific religious group.

WESTERN RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS

Christianity

Christianity is the largest religion in the world, with over 2.2 billion adherents (about one-third of the world’s population), and is the largest religion in the United States, making up 80 percent of the total population.³

Catholicism

Roman Catholic (50.1 percent of all Christians worldwide; 25 percent of Christians in U.S.)

BIRTH AND CONTRACEPTION

Infant baptism is mandatory.

Emergency baptism required for sick newborns, stillbirths, and aborted fetuses.

Priest must do baptism; if emergent, and priest not available, anyone can baptize: pour warm water on infant’s head saying, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (record all information on chart and notify priest and family).

Birth control is prohibited except by abstinence or natural family planning; Catholics may or may not follow this church teaching, so ask patients about their views and refer any questions regarding this to a priest or refer patients to a support group of the church that instructs couples on birth control.

Abortion and sterilization are prohibited unless there is a clear medical reason to do so.

DIET

Before receiving the sacrament of Holy Communion (Eucharist), patient must abstain from solid food and alcohol for a minimum of fifteen minutes (if possible); medicine is permitted and, if the person is in danger of death, no fast is required.

Obligatory fasting is waived during hospitalization, although some Catholics may still abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent, or all Fridays throughout the year (offer fish). Not many do this anymore, but some may.

DEATH, DYING, AND HEALING

Any person who is sick and desires the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick may receive it from a priest, who...