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 belief and spirituality in the lives of Americans, integrating religion and spirituality into mental and medical health care has become a recent focus of study. This course provides mental healthcare professionals and allied health care providers with the information necessary to integrate theory- and evidence-based data with related psychological theory and practical ethics and clinical skills in the care of patients facing acute, chronic, and/or terminal illness -- enabling a more holistic approach to treatment. Topics include the search for "meaning" in illness, acceptance vs. resignation, and grace across the coping 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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