Integrating Spirituality into the Care of Medically Ill Patients: The Ethical Role of the Mental Health Professional
by Florence Gelo, DMin 2 CE Credits
Description:
Given the pervasiveness of religious and spiritual belief in the lives of many patients, it is curious that it is only recently that the association of religion, and/or spirituality, with mental and medical health clinical practice has become a focus of empirical research and published literature. Perhaps this scarcity of empirical attention stems from what has come to be seen as a basic and long-standing “disconnection” between the scientific and spiritual communities – from Galileo onward. In an effort to bridge this gap, this course provides mental healthcare professionals with the information necessary to integrate theoretical and evidence-based data with related psychological theory and practical clinical skills to treat patients facing acute, chronic, and/or terminal illness in a more holistic manner – attending to their spiritual and/or religious beliefs. The foundation of the information presented within this course view spirituality and religion as vital aspects of an individual and as potentially adaptive coping mechanisms in the face of a threat to one’s health.
Definitions of the terms “spirituality” and “religion” will be presented, along with relevant national prevalence data. The ethical obligation to address these aspects in the treatment of medically-ill patients will be discussed. Finally, an approach in which therapists can learn to sensitively support and affirm the health-promoting aspects of spirituality and/or religion in each patient's life will be demonstrated. Topics include the search for "meaning" in illness, acceptance vs. resignation with regard to one’s illness, and grace in coping across the disease continuum.
Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, health professionals will be able to:
- Identify the theory- and evidence-based data regarding the association between spirituality and psychological, as well as physical, well-being
- Demonstrate greater sensitivity to the spiritual needs of their patients and to respectfully distinguish between their own views and those of their patients
- Appropriately discuss religion and/or spirituality with medically ill patients in a therapeutic capacity
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