Spirituality in health care

Spirituality assessment and healthcare Name: Institution: Date:  Nowadays there is renewed interest in the relation between spirituality, religion, and health (Gall & Grant, 2005). It is necessary to consider the importance of spiritual assessment in the health sector as this is the first point where there is integration of the patient’s needs on spirituality. However, for researchers and practitioners the measurement of spirituality is difficult owing to adoption of many definitions and components that constitute spirituality (Lavretsky, 2010). Spirituality is an important aspect of healthcare, but there have been little efforts from the medical field to integrate spiritual needs as per the patient’s requirements. The joint Commission does not define spiritual assessment, and hence organizations have their unique questions that determine the assessment tools. Studies suggest that there is a positive relation between spirituality and the health status of patients, and religious factors have a positive impact on patients through adjustment mechanisms mostly in hypertension, heart diseases, and stroke (Gall & Grant, 2005). Consequently, many patients would want physicians and other medical practitioners to consider spirituality in medical practice. Similarly, religious factors can give people a purpose in life and offer meaning through which to incorporate life experiences (Gall & Grant, 2005). Even in difficult moments, people can reconstruct the meaning of their bad experiences so that they get a positive aspect from these experiences. Spiritual assessment is multidimensional in many patients, and the assessment process took into account the requirements of JCAHO spiritual assessment. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations JCAHO (2001), states that medical practitioners have to conduct spiritual assessment with patients and clients din hospital settings or other health relates organizations as quoted by Hodge (2006). Essentially, the most important assents include the determination of the religious affiliations denomination, the most important spiritual beliefs, and significant religious practices (Hodge, 2006). Even though, JCAHO has a set of questions that may facilitate spiritual assessment in patients, it is not mandatory to use this question, as this is merely a guideline that may be used by practitioners. Besides spiritual and emotional assessment of a patient, it is essential to ensure that the interviewer establishes trust with the patient. Issues of spirituality are sensitive to most patients and they cannot openly discuss their beliefs with any one in spite the best intentions of such questions. The discussion of my patient’s spirituality appeared vague at first, but after she became comfortable with the questioning, she gave answers with more explanations. Empathy and timing also go hand in hand, when it is the turn of patients to discuss their spirituality. In essence, spiritual assessment helped to create an appropriate healthcare plan. Relevant questions -Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) Jean a new 26-year-old female patient suffers from diabetes, but objects to taking of blood sugar up to now. After consenting to the spiritual assessment, it was evident that the patient was religious. Even though, she lived alone her group of friends and family supported her, Jean attends Church on Sundays, and helps in the Church if her work schedule permits. Essentially, Jean believes that religion plays an important role in her life and is vital for her health as well. Consequently, Jean is in favor of the integration of spirituality in medical care and she believes that faith would help to minimize stress among patients. Q. What are your sources of hope during difficult time? A. I belie...