Asian Spiritual Traditions and Their Usefulness to Practitioners and Patients Facing Life and Death

Gordon, James S.; Blackhall, Leslie; Bastis, Madeline Ko-i; Thurman, Robert Α. F.

doi:10.1089/107555302320825110

“…‘Every time I look into the eyes of a person who's ill or dying, I see my own life and death.' ( 98 ) What Gordon is addressing here is the often underappreciated benefit physicians can sometimes derive when they engage their patients in conversations that address issues we have characterized in this review article as falling under the categories of ‘the religious and the spiritual.’ Gordon's observation expresses his own deeply felt sense of human solidarity with his patients who are ill and in extremis. Block makes a similar point in his 2001 study in which he notes the degree to which healthcare professionals understand their sense of personal satisfaction and the sense of privilege they feel in helping their patients voice their own existential concerns to someone who is sympathetic, present, and who has, in Blocks' terms, ‘an understanding ear.’ ( 99 )…”

Section: Physician Satisfactionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spirituality in gynecological oncology: a review

Ramondetta¹,

Sills²

2004

Int J Gynecol Cancer

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The following is a review of some of the work that has been published on issues related to definitions of spirituality and the many ways in which religious or spiritual concerns inform and can sometimes mold the relationships between gynecologic oncology patients, their physicians, and their health. Moreover, we have raised the question whether there is something specific or unique to the experience of women patients with reproductive cancers? Although it might seem clear to many of us that these patients are unique, it is hard to say exactly why. While there are differences between the various types of reproductive cancers, all share a common thread and all undermine the patient's identity as a woman. For oncologists, exploring the connection between the healing of the body and the healing of the spirit recognizes the comprehensive character of cancer treatment, and furthers the understanding that both physicians and patients share a knowledge that what patients lose in their battle with cancer is more than simply a medical life.

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“…'Every time I look into the eyes of a person who's ill or dying, I see my own life and death.' (98) What Gordon is addressing here is the often underappreciated benefit physicians can sometimes derive when they engage their patients in conversations that address issues we have characterized in this review article as falling under the categories of 'the religious and the spiritual.' Gordon's observation expresses his own deeply felt sense of human solidarity with his patients who are ill and in extremis.…”

Section: Physician Satisfactionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spirituality in gynecological oncology: a review

Ramondetta

¹

,

Sills

²

2004

Int J Gynecol Cancer

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The following is a review of some of the work that has been published on issues related to definitions of spirituality and the many ways in which religious or spiritual concerns inform and can sometimes mold the relationships between gynecologic oncology patients, their physicians, and their health. Moreover, we have raised the question whether there is something specific or unique to the experience of women patients with reproductive cancers? Although it might seem clear to many of us that these patients are unique, it is hard to say exactly why. While there are differences between the various types of reproductive cancers, all share a common thread and all undermine the patient's identity as a woman. For oncologists, exploring the connection between the healing of the body and the healing of the spirit recognizes the comprehensive character of cancer treatment, and furthers the understanding that both physicians and patients share a knowledge that what patients lose in their battle with cancer is more than simply a medical life.

show abstract