Introduction: Spirituality and Catastrophe

Abstract

In this issue, the focus of the Southern MediccilJownaV s Spirituality/Medicine Interface Project is on what physicians need to know about spirituality and mass catastrophe. As used here, spirituality involves religious beliefs, practices, and traditions, but also more broadly includes a search for the sacred,' ultimate truth, or ultimate reality. Spirituality is closely related to but distinct from concepts such as meaning and purpose in life, connectedness to others, and sense of peacefijlness to which spiritual strivings may eventually lead but arc not part of the definition itself.' Mass catastrophes include natural disasters (eg, hurricanes) and acts of human terrorism (eg, bombings) that affect entire communities; these contrast with personal catastrophes (eg, murder, infidelity, torture, disfigurement). Catastrophe as discussed here will be limited to disaster on a communitywide scale. The purpose of these articles is to prepare physicians to address the unique emotional, social, and spiritual needs of survivors and of their families, of rescue workers, and of the treating physicians themselves. Besides generally preparing physicians to meet the medical and psychological needs of survivors, this issue will help to increase awareness of the spiritual needs of these potential patients, to learn how to sensitively identify those needs, and to detemiine when and whom to refer. The role that religion and spirituality play in helping survivors cope with the trauma of disasters is ofren quite significant. The ultimate result, we hope, will be a nation that is more resilient during times of catastrophe.