What role...

What role should spiritual care take in the Hospital setting?

Many hospitals are sponsored by religious institutions, the Methodist church, the Mormon church and the catholic church stand behind some of the most prestigious hospitals in the nation. Here in Orlando Florida hospital is the only hospital in the central Florida area to perform transplants and yes they are backed by a religious entity. And even though the care they provide is rooted on scientific research, what role should their spiritual care take in the Health Aid setting?

As I read article after article on how faith can be used as part of mental health, I am convinced that spiritual care can be an asset, even hospitals that are not sponsored by a religious denomination usually employ chaplains or people specialized in faith based relations. But, what are the boundaries of Faith Based Care?

In a journal entitled "Ethical Boundaries of Spiritual Care" the author outlines a couple of suggestions on what the boundaries should be, and all of them focus on the same principle, respecting the patient. This is my interpretation of those suggestions:

1.- In order to provide care, the provider should have an understanding of the patient beliefs.

Simply put, we cannot override the wishes of an autonomous person, we are responsible for educating ourselves, listen to what the patient has to say, and learn from their beliefs -even if we don't agree.

2.- Respect means following the patient wishes.

We can learn, listen and understand but if we don't follow patient wishes, we are infringing on their rights.

3.- Providers should not prescribe spiritual practices, nor urge patients to relinquish their beliefs.

We cannot undermine a patients belief system. If providers start to suggest practices, rituals or other forms of spiritual care, it will end up degrading the respect that medical care deserves. This in turn could damage the personal and professional integrity of the provider.

4.- Health Care Providers who care for the spiritual needs of patients should understand their own spirituality.

One cannot help in this very touchy subject if one is confused about our own belief system.

Ultimately, as said before, spiritual healing is an important part of wellness. But every provider should be aware of the fine line that spiritual care can pose.

Link to Journal:
Ethical Boundaries of Spiritual Care