Spiritual care – ‘A deeper immunity’ – A response to Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has presented unprecedented health challenges across all strata in society throughout the world. The COVID experience has caused us to reflect on quality of life, health and well-being and, just as important, end of life. During this time, spiritual care forms a vital component of holistic health management, especially in terms of coping, coming to terms with illness, suffering and ultimately death. The relationship with the transcendent or sacred has a strong influence on a people’s beliefs, attitudes, emotions and behaviour. Populations, communities, families and individuals have always found solace through their religious or philosophical beliefs during times of personal adversity and widespread anxiety or disaster. Although spiritual care has always been a part of the domain of religious beliefs, a more contemporary perspective is that spiritual care forms part of the human psyche and thus forms part of human care, health and well-being for families, patients and healthcare workers. Spiritual care deals with the provision of compassion and empathy during periods of heightened stress, distress and anxiety within care. This article provides insights into the necessity of providing spiritual care as a means of coping and well-being for families, patients and healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Smart technology and the meaning in life of older adults during the Covid-19 public health emergency period: a cross-cultural qualitative study

“…In addition, spiritual care is about providing compassion and empathy during times of greater stress, anguish and anxiety (Roman et al, 2020). Spiritual care has been a factor of great importance for holistic management of health, especially in terms of coping with suffering, illness and death (Roman et al, 2020). Likewise, COVID-19 led participants to reflect on quality of life, health, well-being, meaning in life and especially about the end of life, which corroborated the literature (Lewnard & Lo, 2020).…”

“…Spirituality was important to give meaning to participants' lives and help them face this difficult phase. The literature indicates a relationship between spirituality and a good life in old age (Roman et al, 2020). In addition, spiritual care is about providing compassion and empathy during times of greater stress, anguish and anxiety (Roman et al, 2020).…”

“…The literature indicates a relationship between spirituality and a good life in old age (Roman et al, 2020). In addition, spiritual care is about providing compassion and empathy during times of greater stress, anguish and anxiety (Roman et al, 2020). Spiritual care has been a factor of great importance for holistic management of health, especially in terms of coping with suffering, illness and death (Roman et al, 2020).…”

“…Furthermore, participants used smart technology to assist their spiritual and religious devotion, using tools such as apps and websites to improve their religious education and devotional emails, and improve their spiritual experiences. Indeed, smart technology can facilitate participation and growth in religious and spiritual life (Roman et al, 2020) and religiousness is related to a sense of meaning in life in old age (Roman et al, 2020).…”

Coping with Racism: a Perspective of COVID-19 Church Closures on the Mental Health of African Americans

“…Please remain mindful of the historical, cultural, and contextual experiences of Black individuals facing medical racism, especially during the COVID-19 era, as it relates to our cultural treatment preferences relying more heavily on spiritual interventions. Authors in South Africa have similarly encouraged healthcare providers to maintain a holistic approach to wellness during this pandemic that prioritizes spiritual care even after our treatment practices have transitioned from physical clinical settings to virtual settings [23]. Like a hospital chaplain provides spiritual counsel without endorsing any particular religion, providers are able to explore whether a faith-based and/or spiritual-based treatment alternative would be more amenable to patients in need of support while coping with racism, COVID-19 inequalities, depression, grief, and anxiety.…”