For many patients confronted with chronic diseases, spirituality/religiosity is an important resource for coping. Patients often report unmet spiritual and existential needs, and spiritual support is also associated with better quality of life. Caring for spiritual, existential and psychosocial needs is not only relevant to patients at the end of their life but also to those suffering from long...

OBJECTIVE Mental health professionals are increasingly aware of the need to incorporate a patient's religious and spiritual beliefs into mental health assessments and treatment plans. Recent changes in assessment and treatment guidelines in the US have resulted in corresponding curricular changes, with at least 16 US psychiatric residency programs now offering formal training in religious and s...

A growing body of scientific research suggests connections between religion, spirituality, and both mental and physical health. The findings are particularly strong in patients with severe or chronic illnesses who are having stressful psychologic and social changes, as well as existential struggles related to meaning and purpose. Recent studies indicate that religious beliefs influence medical ...

Spiritual care is increasingly being recognised as an essential component of healthcare practice. Peoplewith life-limiting illness and those who are recently bereaved are particularly likely to require this type of care. This article identifies some of the practical ways in which nurses can identify, support and assist people to meet their spiritual care needs.

CONTEXT Spirituality, religiosity, and spiritual pain may affect advanced cancer patients' symptom expression, coping strategies, and quality of life. OBJECTIVES To examine the prevalence and intensity of spirituality, religiosity, and spiritual pain, and how spiritual pain was associated with symptom expression, coping, and spiritual quality of life. METHODS We interviewed 100 advanced can...

The development and the organization of chaplaincy in the European context are very diverse. The religious history and the culture of a country are the most determining factors. Still an increasing trend towards professionalism is noticeable. The number of professional associations for chaplains, for example, is growing. The need for professional chaplaincy is founded on the paradigm of whole p...