HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity

Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity

Introduction

Health literature has differentiated the terms spirituality and religiosity, in that spirituality refers to the human expression of meaning and purpose in life, while religiosity is the expression of rites and rituals of a faith tradition (Tiffen & Bentley, 2009). Spirituality includes the process of contemplating the meaning and purpose of one's existence, one's relationships and connectedness with others, and transcending beyond that one is in the present toward which one will become (Murray, 2010). The terms spirituality and religiosity can interrelate in that some individuals find meaning and purpose in life through a faith tradition and their relationship with a higher power. Spirituality is important when addressing both individual and family health as it relates to selfhood development and building relationships with others. In caring for families, it is critical to foster age-appropriate faith development to promote wellness and to integrate spiritual and religious practices to assist families in coping with chronic illness, grief, and bereavement. For many individuals, spirituality is lived out through a religious tradition (Tiffen & Bentley, 2009).

Discussion

Health care professionals provide spiritual and religious care by individualizing spiritual needs and practices within the context of the providers' practice perspective. Different health care providers approach spiritual and religious care differently. Spiritual care can affect both the receiver and the provider of spiritual care because the process of providing spiritual care requires a mutual meaningful connection. Research demonstrates that individuals who are more spiritually connected are physically, psychologically, and socially healthier. Spiritual and religious care improves coping patterns and perceptions of events (Meraviglia & Gaskamp, 2006).

Spirituality is highly individualized but is often defined as the core values of an individual's life—the nonphysical part of a person that forms the basis of character and emotions; belief systems that sustain the individual through times of distress, or one's conception of the meaning of life that forms the core of their relationship with others, nature, and/or God (as defined by the individual). Spiritual care is designed to support spiritual beliefs and alleviate symptoms of spiritual distress, which has been defined as the impaired ability to experience and integrate meaning and purpose in life through connectedness with self, others, art, music, literature, nature, or a power greater than oneself. Spiritual distress is recognized by the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA) as a nursing diagnosis (Meraviglia & Gaskamp, 2006). Clinicians should be aware that the elements of spiritual, pastoral, and culturally competent care often overlap:

Spiritual care is distinguished from pastoral care, which involves the provision of religious rituals and customs such as prayer, faith recommitment, blessings and sacraments, and reading of holy books (e.g., Bible, Torah, Qur'an). In contrast, spiritual care both encourages expression of spiritual beliefs outside of the realm of religion and facilitates religious expression for those who desire it. While pastoral care is usually provided by chaplains, or specially designated laypersons, spiritual care can and should be provided by all members of the healthcare ...