Question

explain why religion and spirituality are important in health care. Provide at least one example from your readings where you have seen how religion and spirituality have been helpful in health care.

Answer 1

Religion and spirituality are important factors in the majority of patients seeking care. Unfortunately, health providers may not take religious beliefs into account when they are dealing with difficult medical decisions for patients and their families

Spirituality -the broader of the two terms -- can be defined as a sensitivity or attachment to religious or other values that helps a person gain insight, self-knowledge, and a heightened understanding of life

Spirituality -- the broader of the two terms -- can be defined as a sensitivity or attachment to religious or other values that helps a person gain insight, self-knowledge, and a heightened understanding of life.

For many patients, spirituality provides the foundation and support that enables them to move from dissonance and brokenness to a sense of wellbeing and wholeness.

In this context, "healing" is more than a technical cure or fix -- it becomes part of a life journey.

Spirituality is integral to whole -- or holistic -- patient care in that it helps to address individuals' understanding of illness and change. Spiritual perspectives and practices can provide a context wherein anxieties about physical and mental functioning may be faced, felt, and understood.

A steadily building body of research shows that spiritual and religious practices support health. Empirical studies show relationships between measures of health and religious indices that include prayer, religious observance, and self-rated religiousness/spirituality.

Religious institutions provide social support mechanisms and practices that encourage healthy behaviors, as well as a personal sense of meaning.

Individuals, particularly elders and those with chronic medical conditions, often turn to religious coping methods, such as seeking spiritual support from clergy or church members, when faced with mental and physical health difficulties.

Religion, belief and culture should be recognized in healthcare as potential sources of moral purpose and personal strength amidst the experience of ill-health, healing, suffering and dying. They should not be viewed solely or primarily as sources of problems in the delivery and reception of care.

Religious beliefs cause patients to forego needed medical care, refuse life-saving procedures, and stop necessary medication, choosing faith instead of medicine. Health Practitioners need to learn to respect the decisions that patients make based on their religious beliefs and not become offended or feel rejected.