Interprofessional Spiritual Care in Palliative Care

Abstract

AbstractPalliative care, often referred to as “whole-person care,” addresses pain and suffering across the physical, emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual continuum. An increasing amount of evidence supports that individuals from pediatrics through adulthood living with serious, chronic illness and their families have significant spiritual needs. Palliative care is delivered by an interdisciplinary team and involves the use of comprehensive assessments and treatments for spiritual, physical, and psychosocial symptoms. This care, based on a generalist-specialist model, includes trained and certified chaplains. Guidelines and evidence support the inclusion of spiritual care models in clinical palliative care. Spiritual care is more than religious care and is based on spirituality broadly defined to include spiritual, existential, and religious care. Spiritual care is respectful care for all people. Spiritual health is a domain of whole-person care with spiritual distress as a clinical symptom that must be assessed and treated routinely in the care of seriously and chronically ill patients no matter their age. It is the responsibility of all clinicians to address the spiritual needs of their patients and work collaboratively with spiritual care professionals. Spiritual care professionals are essential members of the team, providing spiritual care for both the patient and family and the interprofessional team. Spiritual care may include moments of reflection, pause, ritual, and renewal to support the team in their shared values and vision of providing optimal palliative care.