The Interdisciplinary Spiritual Care Model – A holistic Approach to Patient Care

Abstract

In the last two decades, studies on the relationship between spirituality and health have grown significantly in the International literature. In Brazil, the debate on this subject has reached greater visibility since 2009, mainly in the health sciences, with the appearance of the term "spiritual care". In theology, studies on spiritual care in the health care context are still scarce. This paper aims to contribute to the broadening of this reflection. Firstly, spiritual care is approached from scientific publications in Portuguese language. Second, the interdisciplinary spiritual care model is presented as a holistic approach to patient care and consequences of applying a spiritual care model are outlined. The newly defined role of the hospital chaplains, pastoral counselors and spiritual caregivers is also discussed. As a conclusion, the paper mentions the main challenges going along with interdisciplinary spiritual care, especially those concerning the training of health care professionals.Keywords: spirituality; health care professionals; spiritual care; interdisciplinary; hospital chaplain ResumoNas duas últimas décadas, os estudos sobre a relação entre espiritualidade e saúde tem crescido significativamente no cenário internacional. No Brasil, as pesquisas nesse campo ganharam maior visibilidade a partir de 2009, sobretudo nas Ciências da Saúde, onde começou a aparecer o termo "cuidado espiritual". Na Teologia, estudos sobre cuidado espiritual dentro do contexto da saúde são escassos. Este artigo pretende contribuir com a ampliação desta reflexão. Primeiramente, o cuidado espiritual é abordado a partir da produção científica em língua portuguesa. Em seguida, o modelo interdisciplinar de cuidado espiritual é apresentado como uma abordagem holística de cuidado ao paciente e também são delineadas as consequências da aplicação de um modelo de cuidado espiritual. Discute-se ainda, o papel novo e recém definido dos capelães hospitalares, conselheiros pastorais e cuidadores espirituais. O texto conclui mencionando os principais desafios que acompanham o cuidado espiritual interdisciplinar, especialmente aqueles que dizem respeito ao treinamento dos profissionais do cuidado em saúde.Palavras-chave: espiritualidade; profissionais da saúde, cuidado espiritual, interdisciplinaridade; capelão hospitalar

Spiritual needs and their association with indicators of quality of life among non-terminally ill cancer patients: Cross-sectional survey

“…In several cases even this first step of recognizing and valuing a patient's needs is helpful. By becoming familiar with patients' needs and improving sensitivity to the uniqueness of spirituality, nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers, chaplains and other professionals (Hefti et al, 2016) further develop proficiency in providing relational, dignity based, compassionate and spiritually competent care in an interdisciplinary setting. Providing compassionate care may involve health care professionals in intimate aspects of patient's emotional and spiritual lives, uniquely positioning them to help those who are experiencing existential distress (Balboni et al, 2014).…”

Religioossed ja spirituaalsed kriisid vaimse tervise valguses

“…Tänapäevases tervishoiusüsteemis, kus rõhk on elukvaliteedil ning patsiendikesksel lähenemisel, ei tohiks ära unustada ega vältida ühtegi inimest puudutavat mõõdet. Seega on oluline koguda võimaluse korral anamneesis ka spirituaalset ajalugu (spiritual history) (Hefti & Gomes Esperandio 2016;Puchalski & Romer 2000).…”

Literature Review of Spiritual Care in Islamic Cultural Perspective

“…These eight disciplines are mutually integrated in carrying out their roles and tasks collaboratively in providing spiritual care to patients. The hope is that patients will meet their spiritual needs while increasing spiritual well-being (Hefti & Esperando, 2016).…”

“…According to Abuatiq (2015), the application of synergy model is supported by interdisciplinary health care team (IHCT). Hefti & Esperando (2016) combined IHCT into synergy model with the aim of establishing a holistic spiritual care model. This required an integrative effort because it provided a great benefit to the quality of patient's life while increasing the competence of nurses in clinical settings.…”

“…Based on the study on the needs of hospital, it was found that an increase in annual spiritual needs and improvement of the fulfillment of spiritual care supporting facilities were needed. In addition, it was also found an expectation that spiritual care practices do not mention the principle of faith or religion, and prioritize mutual respect for differences in beliefs or differences in certain religions in accordance with the concept of Islam (Hefti & Esperando, 2016;O'Brien, 2013).…”