The role of Religious and Spiritual assistance to people in palliative care. Theoretical overview

Abstract

This is a follow-up to the practical research on hospice healthcare patients that proved they need either ‘Spiritual’ or/and ‘Religious’ assistance and that these needs are basic, natural, and almost standard. Since that research with direct involvement in palliative care greatly helps the multidisciplinary team develop an improved intervention plan, I thought additional explanations are necessary. In this regard, I have written this article to further interpret my observations on palliative care over the last couple of years. To conclude most straightforwardly, the research draws a demarcated line between how people in ‘total suffering’ relate to Spiritual vs. Religious assistance as these two ways are very similar on the surface, but when engaged, they start building distinct, self-sustaining paths. Why is that, and how can each assist hospice - this is the target of the current text.