Concluding suggestions

The concluding chapter summarizes more general aspects of different insights from studies among persons from different cultural contexts. Health professions need to identify unmet spiritual needs in patients and their families. Addressing these needs indicates that the healthcare professionals value and respect the person with their specific life situation, biographical background, current sense of purpose and meaning in life, hope, changing priorities, moral values, religious and nonreligious convictions, and spiritual rituals important to them, depending on the resources available to them. Relevant is the development of a Support Plant. A decision has to be made on who could communicate with the patient about these issues, what can be achieved, and what resources are available to meet unmet spiritual needs. The entire process should be viewed from a team perspective, including the patient on the team as a key member. Beginning to communicate about these issues is the first step in a process that will require 'inner work' by the patient and sensitive guidance by the healthcare professional (including clergy and pastoral care workers).

Duke Scholars

Author Harold G. Koenig Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Adult Psychiatry & Psychol ...