WAYS THAT CLINICAL STAFF MAY SUPPORT PATIENTS SPIRITUALLY Chaplain John Ehman Penn Presbyterian...

WAYS THAT CLINICAL STAFF MAY WAYS THAT CLINICAL STAFF MAY SUPPORT PATIENTS SPIRITUALLYSUPPORT PATIENTS SPIRITUALLY

Chaplain John EhmanChaplain John EhmanPenn Presbyterian Medical CenterPenn Presbyterian Medical Center

[email protected]@uphs.upenn.edu

5/5/10

Presentation PlanPresentation Plan

● ● Terminology & the parameters of Terminology & the parameters of spiritualityspirituality

● ● How does spirituality play into illness/treatment How does spirituality play into illness/treatment … …and vice versa?and vice versa?

● ● Importance of the Importance of the patient'spatient's sense of spirituality sense of spirituality

● ● Practical strategies for spiritual support Practical strategies for spiritual support

● ● Assessment issuesAssessment issues

● ● Special issuesSpecial issues

Polls re: Religion/Spirituality in the USPolls re: Religion/Spirituality in the US

• • 90-96% of adults in the US say they “believe in God”90-96% of adults in the US say they “believe in God”

• • over 40% say they attend religious services regularly, over 40% say they attend religious services regularly, usually at least once a week usually at least once a week

• • 50-75% say religion is “very important” in their lives50-75% say religion is “very important” in their lives

• • 90% say they pray, and most (54-75%) say they pray 90% say they pray, and most (54-75%) say they pray at least once a dayat least once a day

• • over 80% say that “God answers prayers” over 80% say that “God answers prayers”

• • 79-84% say they believe in “miracles” and that “God 79-84% say they believe in “miracles” and that “God answers prayers for healing someone with an answers prayers for healing someone with an incurable illness”incurable illness”

--These percentages are summary characterizations of numerous national surveys showing fairly consistent results across time

TerminologyTerminology: :

Spirituality Spirituality or or ReligionReligion

The language is sometimes ambiguous and confusing.The language is sometimes ambiguous and confusing.

Assessment Terminology in Medline-Indexed ArticlesAssessment Terminology in Medline-Indexed Articles (1998-2008)(1998-2008)

--John Ehman, 12/7/09

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Spiritual Religious Existential

Variety in Patients’ Sense of “Variety in Patients’ Sense of “SpiritualSpiritual Needs” Needs”

Nineteen hospice Nineteen hospice patients were asked: patients were asked: “What does the word “What does the word spiritual mean to you spiritual mean to you personally?” and personally?” and “What needs can you “What needs can you identify related to identify related to your spirituality as your spirituality as you described it?”you described it?”

--p. 69 of Hermann, C. P., "Spiritual needs of dying patients: a qualitative study," Oncology Nursing Forum 28, no. 1 (Jan-Feb 2001): 67-72

Definitions by Harold Koenig, MDDefinitions by Harold Koenig, MD

SPIRITUALITYSPIRITUALITY is the personal quest for understanding is the personal quest for understanding answers to ultimate questions about life, about meaning, answers to ultimate questions about life, about meaning, and about relationship with the sacred or transcendent, and about relationship with the sacred or transcendent, which may (or may not) lead to or arise from the which may (or may not) lead to or arise from the development of religious rituals and the formation of development of religious rituals and the formation of community.community.

RELIGIONRELIGION is an organized system of beliefs, practices, is an organized system of beliefs, practices, rituals, and symbols designed to facilitate closeness to rituals, and symbols designed to facilitate closeness to the sacred or transcendent (God, higher power, or the sacred or transcendent (God, higher power, or ultimate truth/reality).ultimate truth/reality).

--see p. 844 of Moreira-Almeida & Koenig, “Retaining the meaning of the words religiousness and spirituality…,” Social Science & Medicine 63, no. 4 (Aug 2006): 843-845

How do we in health care tend to think How do we in health care tend to think of the interplay between the spiritual of the interplay between the spiritual

aspects of patients’ lives and patients’ aspects of patients’ lives and patients’ experiences of illness and treatment?experiences of illness and treatment?

Research on Spirituality & Health Tends to Research on Spirituality & Health Tends to Focus on Spirituality as a Resource Focus on Spirituality as a Resource forfor Health Health

Spirituality as a:Spirituality as a:

1) a ground for “religious” social support1) a ground for “religious” social support

2) a value basis for personal meaning-making 2) a value basis for personal meaning-making [and therefore understanding illness and[and therefore understanding illness and copingcoping with crises] and decision-making with crises] and decision-making

3) a context for behavior that can influence the3) a context for behavior that can influence the way the body works (e.g., meditation thatway the body works (e.g., meditation that can affect physiological reactions to stress)can affect physiological reactions to stress)

Spirituality Spirituality Illness and Treatment Illness and Treatment

● ● How might a patient’s spiritual/religious life help How might a patient’s spiritual/religious life help that person to meet the challenges of illness & that person to meet the challenges of illness & treatment, or how might spirituality/religion be treatment, or how might spirituality/religion be problematic to meeting such challenges?problematic to meeting such challenges?

… …but also…but also…

● ● How might the experience of illness & treatment, How might the experience of illness & treatment, affect a patient spiritually?affect a patient spiritually?

Examples re: Grave Illness & TreatmentExamples re: Grave Illness & Treatment

Spirituality Spirituality Grave Illness & Treatment Grave Illness & Treatment

● ● Congregational connections may bring social support and practical Congregational connections may bring social support and practical assistance (assistance (or constrict the patient by the imposition of the group’s or constrict the patient by the imposition of the group’s normsnorms))



● ● Patient's own clergy may bring "authoritative" support and guidance Patient's own clergy may bring "authoritative" support and guidance for coping (for coping (or may give "simple" answers, poor guidance, or or may give "simple" answers, poor guidance, or even chastisementeven chastisement) )




● ● Scriptures may help patients find focus and direction amid crisis (Scriptures may help patients find focus and direction amid crisis (or, or, as complex documents, scriptures may be confusing or disturbingas complex documents, scriptures may be confusing or disturbing))





● ● Favorite sources of meaning and joy may bring encouragement and Favorite sources of meaning and joy may bring encouragement and relief (relief (or may play into the patient's feelings of lossor may play into the patient's feelings of loss))






● ● Religious rituals may bring a sense of assurance and "deepening“ Religious rituals may bring a sense of assurance and "deepening“ ((but are often disrupted by illness and treatmentbut are often disrupted by illness and treatment))






● ● Religious rituals may bring a sense of assurance and "deepening“ Religious rituals may bring a sense of assurance and "deepening“ ((but are often disrupted by illness and treatmentbut are often disrupted by illness and treatment))

● ● Prayer/meditation may bring peace and encouragement (Prayer/meditation may bring peace and encouragement (but some but some patients find prayer/meditation difficultpatients find prayer/meditation difficult))

Grave Illness & Treatment Grave Illness & Treatment Spirituality Spirituality

● ● Patients may experience “stress-related growth” that is spiritualPatients may experience “stress-related growth” that is spiritual in nature or is spiritually enriching (in nature or is spiritually enriching (or they may feel diminished, or they may feel diminished, cut off, and beaten by illness/treatment and spiritually witheredcut off, and beaten by illness/treatment and spiritually withered))



● ● Patients may find an increase in spiritual resources offered to themPatients may find an increase in spiritual resources offered to them ((or find a narrowing of opportunities to seek spiritual resources, or find a narrowing of opportunities to seek spiritual resources, especially as social interaction can lessen and become stiltedespecially as social interaction can lessen and become stilted) )




● ● Questions of “what really matters” can open some gravely illQuestions of “what really matters” can open some gravely ill patients to affirm who they are “at the core,” spiritually (patients to affirm who they are “at the core,” spiritually (or canor can lead them to question long-held personal/spiritual/religious beliefslead them to question long-held personal/spiritual/religious beliefs))





● ● Patients may find in their self-experience of resilience an Patients may find in their self-experience of resilience an affirmation of their spirituality (affirmation of their spirituality (or may see in their self-perceived or may see in their self-perceived weaknesses, such as feelings of fearfulness, a spiritual “failure”weaknesses, such as feelings of fearfulness, a spiritual “failure”) )





● ● Patients may find in their self-experience of resilience an Patients may find in their self-experience of resilience an affirmation of their spirituality (affirmation of their spirituality (or may see in their self-perceived or may see in their self-perceived weaknesses, such as feelings of fearfulness, a spiritual “failure”weaknesses, such as feelings of fearfulness, a spiritual “failure”) )

● ● The experience of loss of control can shift a patient’s sense of The experience of loss of control can shift a patient’s sense of locus of control from himself/herself to a “higher power” (locus of control from himself/herself to a “higher power” (or canor can create a sense of sheer vulnerability and “abandonment by God”create a sense of sheer vulnerability and “abandonment by God”))

Study of Perceived/Met Spiritual Needs at EOLStudy of Perceived/Met Spiritual Needs at EOL

Perceived (%) Met (%)Laugh 100 65Think happy thoughts 98 76See the smiles of others 97 81Be with family 96 65Be with friends 96 64Pray 95 96Talk about day-to-day things 95 82Have information about family and friends 88 77Be with people who share my spiritual beliefs 88 74Go to religious services 85 30Be around children 83 72Sing or listen to music 80 80Read a religious text 80 64Talk with someone about spiritual issues 79 75Read inspirational materials 68 69Use phrases from religious text 65 86Use inspirational materials 59 86

--from: Hermann, C. P. “The degree to which spiritual needs of patients near the end of life are met.” Oncology Nursing Forum 34, no. 1 (Jan 2007): 70-78

So, what strategy might providers use in order So, what strategy might providers use in order to support to support individualsindividuals spiritually? spiritually?

The importance of the interplay between The importance of the interplay between spirituality and health for patients generally spirituality and health for patients generally is matched by the difficulty of predicting that is matched by the difficulty of predicting that interplay in the lived experience of patients interplay in the lived experience of patients individually.individually.

A Pastoral Care Approach …with ImplicationsA Pastoral Care Approach …with Implications

While chaplains clearly recognize the importance of theology, While chaplains clearly recognize the importance of theology, the general approach of pastoral care is not to emphasize the general approach of pastoral care is not to emphasize intellectual issues (e.g., theological questions) but rather to intellectual issues (e.g., theological questions) but rather to attend to the experiential and emotional issues or dynamics attend to the experiential and emotional issues or dynamics that affect the patient’s sense of meaning, quest, and that affect the patient’s sense of meaning, quest, and relationship. Chaplains try to follow the lead of the patient, to relationship. Chaplains try to follow the lead of the patient, to help him/her feel heard, connected, and safe to venture help him/her feel heard, connected, and safe to venture wherever he/she has need. Identified needs that are not wherever he/she has need. Identified needs that are not explicitly religious/spiritual may still be spiritually relevant for explicitly religious/spiritual may still be spiritually relevant for the patient. the patient.

This approach may have implications for spiritual aspects of This approach may have implications for spiritual aspects of care by physicians, nurses, social workers, and others.care by physicians, nurses, social workers, and others.

Working from certain key elements of this Working from certain key elements of this ““pastoral care” approach allows providers pastoral care” approach allows providers

to support patients to support patients spirituallyspiritually……

……without needing to talk "theology“without needing to talk "theology“

……without needing to act as a spiritual counselorwithout needing to act as a spiritual counselor

……without blurring professional roles/boundarieswithout blurring professional roles/boundaries

……without having to give answers to "ultimate" questionswithout having to give answers to "ultimate" questions

Health care providers Health care providers cancan support patients support patients spiritually by:spiritually by:

● ● acknowledging patients’ statements of meaning, acknowledging patients’ statements of meaning, quest, and relationshipquest, and relationship

● ● affirming the emotional nature of our humanityaffirming the emotional nature of our humanity

● ● listening for indications of spiritual distress, and listening for indications of spiritual distress, and thinking about referral options thinking about referral options

● ● expressing interest in the patient’s particular expressing interest in the patient’s particular spiritual resources & issues pertinent to the spiritual resources & issues pertinent to the provider-patient relationshipprovider-patient relationship

MEDSMEDS

Supporting Patients Spiritually with Supporting Patients Spiritually with MEDSMEDS

MM = acknowledge statements of = acknowledge statements of mmeaningeaning/quest/relationship/quest/relationship

EE = affirm the = affirm the eemotionalmotional nature of our humanity nature of our humanity

DD = look and listen for indications of spiritual = look and listen for indications of spiritual ddistressistress

SS = express an interest in the patient’s particular = express an interest in the patient’s particular sspiritualpiritual resources & issues pertinent to the provider-patient resources & issues pertinent to the provider-patient relationship, and consider options for explicit inquiryrelationship, and consider options for explicit inquiry

MM = acknowledge statements of = acknowledge statements of mmeaning/quest/relationshipeaning/quest/relationship

E = affirm the emotional nature of our humanity

D = look and listen for indications of spiritual distress

S = express an interest in the patient’s particular spiritual resources & issues pertinent to the provider-patient relationship, and consider options for explicit inquiry

Acknowledging Patients’ Statements of Acknowledging Patients’ Statements of Meaning, Quest, and RelationshipMeaning, Quest, and Relationship

Patients may make overtly religious/spiritual statements of Patients may make overtly religious/spiritual statements of meaning, quest, and relationship, but often the expression is meaning, quest, and relationship, but often the expression is more subtle and indirect. I.e.: “God has a plan,” “I know God’s more subtle and indirect. I.e.: “God has a plan,” “I know God’s with me,” or “God didn’t bring me this far to let me down now”; with me,” or “God didn’t bring me this far to let me down now”; but alsobut also, “I'm sure learning a lot,” “Something like this changes , “I'm sure learning a lot,” “Something like this changes your priorities,” or “I'm so thankful for my family.“your priorities,” or “I'm so thankful for my family.“

AcknowledgementAcknowledgement can be made as simply as repeating or can be made as simply as repeating or paraphrasing the patient's statement or by saying, for example: paraphrasing the patient's statement or by saying, for example: "I appreciate your perspective," "You're finding your way ahead "I appreciate your perspective," "You're finding your way ahead through this," "You're in touch with what's important," or "This through this," "You're in touch with what's important," or "This is a journey.“is a journey.“

--Such statements generally open up communication--Such statements generally open up communication


EE = affirm the = affirm the eemotional nature of our humanitymotional nature of our humanity


SS = express an interest in the patient’s particular = express an interest in the patient’s particular sspiritual piritual resources & issues pertinent to the provider-patient resources & issues pertinent to the provider-patient relationship, and consider options for explicit inquiryrelationship, and consider options for explicit inquiry

Emotion and SpiritualityEmotion and Spirituality

Emotion may be said to be the "heart" of spirituality, and an Emotion may be said to be the "heart" of spirituality, and an affirmation of emotion can help patients express spiritual need. affirmation of emotion can help patients express spiritual need. E.g.:, patients who are ashamed of their anxiousness or tears E.g.:, patients who are ashamed of their anxiousness or tears may be blocked from expressing or exploring spiritual issues, may be blocked from expressing or exploring spiritual issues, or emotional lability may be experienced as a spiritual problem.or emotional lability may be experienced as a spiritual problem.

Affirmation of emotion can occur through acknowledgement Affirmation of emotion can occur through acknowledgement and normalization. For instance:and normalization. For instance:● “● “Your tears show how deeply you feel, how important things are Your tears show how deeply you feel, how important things are to you.to you.””● “● “There's so much about what’s happening that’s scary.There's so much about what’s happening that’s scary.””● “● “Illness and treatment can be such an emotional rollercoaster.Illness and treatment can be such an emotional rollercoaster.””● “● “Your spirit feels heavy. I want to affirm how well you're managing Your spirit feels heavy. I want to affirm how well you're managing in all of this.in all of this.””● “● “I honor your feelings.I honor your feelings.””

--Listen for spiritual content in patients’ responses.--Listen for spiritual content in patients’ responses.


E E = affirm the = affirm the eemotional nature of our humanitymotional nature of our humanity



Spiritual DistressSpiritual Distress

Any sign of physical or psychological distress Any sign of physical or psychological distress maymay have connections to a patient's spirituality, have connections to a patient's spirituality, including unexplained or unmanaged pain, including unexplained or unmanaged pain, trouble sleeping, anxiety or agitation.trouble sleeping, anxiety or agitation.

Spiritual distress can have mundane indicators.Spiritual distress can have mundane indicators.

Conversational Hints of Conversational Hints of PossiblePossible Spiritual Distress Spiritual Distress

1) Interruption of religious practices / rituals of every kind 1) Interruption of religious practices / rituals of every kind (e.g., congregational or social religious activities, prayer)(e.g., congregational or social religious activities, prayer)

2) Issues of meaning amid change (e.g., questions/statements 2) Issues of meaning amid change (e.g., questions/statements about the meaning or purpose of his/her pain or illness or of about the meaning or purpose of his/her pain or illness or of life in general, expressions about a sense of injustice, life in general, expressions about a sense of injustice, overwhelming salience of loss, hopelessness, overwhelming salience of loss, hopelessness, abandonment/withdrawal from relationships or groups)abandonment/withdrawal from relationships or groups)

3) Religiously associated expressions (e.g., mentions illness 3) Religiously associated expressions (e.g., mentions illness as "deserved" and/or "punishment," talks of "evil" or "the as "deserved" and/or "punishment," talks of "evil" or "the enemy," describes self as "bad" or "sinful," uses colloquial enemy," describes self as "bad" or "sinful," uses colloquial expressions with religious overtones like "this is hell," expressions with religious overtones like "this is hell," repetition of "forgiveness" language, refers to death as repetition of "forgiveness" language, refers to death as "judgment day," or wonders about "God's plan")"judgment day," or wonders about "God's plan")

Spirituality & Health Research and the Brief RCOPE Spirituality & Health Research and the Brief RCOPE Assessment for Positive/Negative Religious CopingAssessment for Positive/Negative Religious Coping

1) Looked for a stronger connection with God 2) Sought God’s love and care. 3) Sought help from God in letting go of my anger. 4) Tried to put my plans into action together with God. 5) Tried to see how God might be trying to strengthen me in in this situation. 6) Asked forgiveness of my sins. 7) Focused on religion to stop worrying about my problems. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 8) Wondered whether God had abandoned me. 9) Felt punished by God for my lack of devotion.10) Wondered what I did for God to punish me.11) Questioned God’s love for me.12) Wondered whether my church had abandoned me.13) Decided the devil made this happen.14) Questioned the power of God.

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Be especially attentive to how physical issues Be especially attentive to how physical issues may be problematic to spiritual activities:may be problematic to spiritual activities:

● ● Barriers to attending congregational activities (including Barriers to attending congregational activities (including treatments or check-ups over religious holidays)treatments or check-ups over religious holidays)

● ● Inability to kneel [--also a falling hazard]Inability to kneel [--also a falling hazard]

● ● Difficulty using hands (e.g., to make religious gestures orDifficulty using hands (e.g., to make religious gestures or to hold religious objects or scriptures)to hold religious objects or scriptures)

● ● Trouble seeing (e.g., to read religious material)Trouble seeing (e.g., to read religious material)

● ● Trouble hearing (e.g., to listen to music or religious Trouble hearing (e.g., to listen to music or religious broadcasts or speak on the phone with friends/clergy)broadcasts or speak on the phone with friends/clergy)

● ● Pain and medication issues (e.g., affecting meditation/prayer)Pain and medication issues (e.g., affecting meditation/prayer)

● ● Body image issues affecting a sense of "cleanliness" Body image issues affecting a sense of "cleanliness" (including difficulty washing)(including difficulty washing)


E E = affirm the = affirm the eemotional nature of our humanitymotional nature of our humanity



An Inquiry about Spiritual/Religious BeliefsAn Inquiry about Spiritual/Religious Beliefs

● ● Provider initiative may be necessitated by patients' Provider initiative may be necessitated by patients' reluctance to introduce the topic --because of fears of reluctance to introduce the topic --because of fears of provider reaction, lack of salience about the subjectprovider reaction, lack of salience about the subject during often highly directed clinical interactions, or during often highly directed clinical interactions, or uncertainty about how to talk about beliefs outside of uncertainty about how to talk about beliefs outside of a familiar religious context.a familiar religious context.

● ● Inquiry can bring to light important information affecting Inquiry can bring to light important information affecting how physicians and patients work together, especiallyhow physicians and patients work together, especially how patients may make health care decisions.how patients may make health care decisions.

● ● A carefully worded inquiry about spiritual/religious beliefs A carefully worded inquiry about spiritual/religious beliefs may be experienced as a significant support, and that may be experienced as a significant support, and that could have larger ramifications for provider-patient could have larger ramifications for provider-patient communication and relationship.communication and relationship.

In a Penn study about physician inquiry regarding In a Penn study about physician inquiry regarding patients’ spiritual/religious beliefs, with a sample of patients’ spiritual/religious beliefs, with a sample of

177 pulmonary outpatients:177 pulmonary outpatients:

• • Nearly half of patients may have spiritual/religious beliefsNearly half of patients may have spiritual/religious beliefs that would influence their health care decision-makingthat would influence their health care decision-making if they became gravely ill.if they became gravely ill.

• • Two-thirds of patients would welcome a carefully wordedTwo-thirds of patients would welcome a carefully worded exploratory question about spiritual or religious beliefsexploratory question about spiritual or religious beliefs (E.g., “Do you have spiritual or religious beliefs that may(E.g., “Do you have spiritual or religious beliefs that may affect your medical decisions?”)affect your medical decisions?”)

• • Two-thirds of patients think that such an inquiry by a Two-thirds of patients think that such an inquiry by a physician would make them physician would make them trusttrust the physician more. the physician more.

--Ehman, J. W., et al., “Do patients want physicians to inquire…, Archives of Internal Medicine 159, no. 15 (1999): 1803-1806

Health care provider inquiries Health care provider inquiries about spirituality should…about spirituality should…

… …implicitly or explicitly indicate that the purpose implicitly or explicitly indicate that the purpose is to provide medical care that honors patients’is to provide medical care that honors patients’ beliefs and values (and that the question is notbeliefs and values (and that the question is not a judgment about the patient’s values)a judgment about the patient’s values)

……give patients an “easy way out” if they don’t wantgive patients an “easy way out” if they don’t want to talk about their spiritualityto talk about their spirituality

Note the construction of a question like: Note the construction of a question like: ““Do you have religious or spiritual concernsDo you have religious or spiritual concerns

that may affect your medical care?”that may affect your medical care?”

““Are You at Peace?” Are You at Peace?” One Item to Probe Spiritual Concerns at the End of LifeOne Item to Probe Spiritual Concerns at the End of Life

2006 Construct Validity Study (n=248)2006 Construct Validity Study (n=248)

Example:Example:

PhysicianPhysician: How have you been doing?: How have you been doing?PatientPatient: Okay, I guess.: Okay, I guess.PhysicianPhysician: I'm wondering how you're doing living with your illness. : I'm wondering how you're doing living with your illness. I sometimes hear people talk about whether or not they're I sometimes hear people talk about whether or not they're at peace. Do you feel that you are at peace in your life at peace. Do you feel that you are at peace in your life right now?right now?PatientPatient: Well, when you ask it that way, no.: Well, when you ask it that way, no.PhysicianPhysician: Tell me more.: Tell me more.PatientPatient: I just can't seem to get a handle on all of this….: I just can't seem to get a handle on all of this….

Steinhauser, K. E., et al., “'Are you at peace?': one item to probe spiritual concerns at the end of life.” Archives of Internal Medicine 166, no. 1 (Jan 9, 2006): 101-105

Practice of Taking a "Spiritual History"Practice of Taking a "Spiritual History"

● ● Should be done only with care and practiceShould be done only with care and practice ● ● Best done in a conversational styleBest done in a conversational style ● ● Possible to do quickly, but it should not be hurried Possible to do quickly, but it should not be hurried

The model most widely used by physicians is FICA:The model most widely used by physicians is FICA:

FF = The patient’s = The patient’s FFaithaith or self-identification as a religious or self-identification as a religious or spiritual personor spiritual person

II = The = The IImportancemportance of the patient’s faith of the patient’s faith

CC = Is he/she part of a religious/spiritual = Is he/she part of a religious/spiritual CCommunityommunity? ?

AA = How the patient wants the health care provider to = How the patient wants the health care provider to AAddressddress these spiritual issues in professional care these spiritual issues in professional care

© 1996, Christina M. Puchalski, MDSee: www.GWISH.org

The HOPE Spiritual AssessmentThe HOPE Spiritual Assessment

HH: : Sources of hope/meaning/comfort/strength/peace/love/connectionSources of hope/meaning/comfort/strength/peace/love/connection We have been discussing your support systems --I was wondering, what is there in your life that gives you internal support? What sustains you and keeps you going? For some people, their religious or spiritual beliefs act as a source of comfort and strength in dealing with life's ups and downs; is this true for you?

OO: : Organized religionOrganized religion Are you part of a religious or spiritual community? Does it help you? How?

PP: : Personal spirituality/practicesPersonal spirituality/practices What aspects of your spirituality or spiritual practices do you find most helpful to you personally? (e.g., prayer, listening to music, communing with nature)

EE: : Effects on medical careEffects on medical care Has being sick (or your current situation) affected your ability to do the things that usually help you spiritually? Are you worried about any conflicts between your beliefs and your medical situation/care/decisions? [For the dying patient:] How do your beliefs affect the kind of medical care you would like me to provide over the next few days/weeks/months?

--see: Anandarajah & Hight, "Spirituality and Medical Practice: Using the HOPE Questions as a Practical Tool for Spiritual Assessment," American Family Physician 63, no. 1 (Jan 1, 2001): 81-88

Example of Beliefs Affecting Treatment:Example of Beliefs Affecting Treatment:

Patients may not want pain medications because…Patients may not want pain medications because…

• • concern that the medication will cloud one’s concern that the medication will cloud one’s awareness of spiritually important experiencesawareness of spiritually important experiences

• • belief that pain serves a spiritual functionbelief that pain serves a spiritual function

• • patient/family does not accept the principle ofpatient/family does not accept the principle of “ “double effect” regarding pain medication for double effect” regarding pain medication for palliative care at the end of life palliative care at the end of life

• • perceived--and/or real--violation of dietary rules, perceived--and/or real--violation of dietary rules, esp. against pork or animal products in generalesp. against pork or animal products in general

Example of Dietary Laws Affecting Medication UsageExample of Dietary Laws Affecting Medication Usage

British study of Muslim patients British study of Muslim patients observant of Islamic dietary laws:observant of Islamic dietary laws:

• • Only 26% said they'd take medication if they wereOnly 26% said they'd take medication if they were unsure whether it was halaalunsure whether it was halaal

• • 42% said they'd 42% said they'd notnot take medication if they were take medication if they were unsure whether it wasunsure whether it was halaalhalaal

• • 58% said they'd stop taking medication if they58% said they'd stop taking medication if they found out it was haraamfound out it was haraam

• • Only 8% thought it was acceptable to take haraam Only 8% thought it was acceptable to take haraam medications for minor illnesses, but 36% thought medications for minor illnesses, but 36% thought it acceptable to take haraam medications for it acceptable to take haraam medications for major illnesses.major illnesses. --Bashir, et al., "Concordance in Muslim patients…," International Journal of Pharmacy Practice 9, no. 3 Suppl (Sept 2001): R78

Referral Options for Spiritual SupportReferral Options for Spiritual Support

● ● Patients' own clergyPatients' own clergy

● ● Clergy connected to the patient's family Clergy connected to the patient's family or to their trusted friendsor to their trusted friends

● ● ChaplainsChaplains --as providers of “interfaith” spiritual care--as providers of “interfaith” spiritual care --as resources for non-theists--as resources for non-theists --as resources for further referral--as resources for further referral

● ● Support Groups, even if not officially “spiritual,” Support Groups, even if not officially “spiritual,” may be sources for spiritual supportmay be sources for spiritual support

Suggest the possible need for a “Plan B” for support.Suggest the possible need for a “Plan B” for support.

Provider Prayer with PatientsProvider Prayer with Patients

Shared prayer can be a helpful support to patients, Shared prayer can be a helpful support to patients, under the under the right circumstancesright circumstances, but it must be done very carefully. Caution , but it must be done very carefully. Caution is necessary to protect against the imposition of the provider's is necessary to protect against the imposition of the provider's values or a blurring of the provider's role. Consulting a chaplain values or a blurring of the provider's role. Consulting a chaplain about a particular case may be helpful.about a particular case may be helpful.

What if a patient asks for prayer, and you’re uncomfortable?What if a patient asks for prayer, and you’re uncomfortable?

● ● "This is very important to you, and what's important to you "This is very important to you, and what's important to you is important to me; but I'd prefer that you offer the prayer is important to me; but I'd prefer that you offer the prayer and I'll be with you in silence."and I'll be with you in silence."● ● "Thank you for offering to have me join you in prayer, but "Thank you for offering to have me join you in prayer, but it's just not my practice in the office." it's just not my practice in the office." ● ● "I will think of you in my own private prayers/meditation.""I will think of you in my own private prayers/meditation."● ● "I'm not sure about praying together, but I "I'm not sure about praying together, but I amam sure that we sure that we can work together, and I honor your spiritual life.can work together, and I honor your spiritual life.""

Suggestions, if you Suggestions, if you dodo want to use want to use corporate prayer with a patient:corporate prayer with a patient:

● ● Keep it simpleKeep it simple

● ● Act to "mark off" or distinguish the prayer time Act to "mark off" or distinguish the prayer time (e.g., a few seconds of silence; take a breath)(e.g., a few seconds of silence; take a breath)

● ● Avoid putting doctrinal statements into the patient’sAvoid putting doctrinal statements into the patient’s mouth (esp. in light of patient-provider power inequity) mouth (esp. in light of patient-provider power inequity)

● ● Focus on the immediate situation (as has been Focus on the immediate situation (as has been indicated by the patient)indicated by the patient)

● ● Consider making personal well-wishing statementsConsider making personal well-wishing statements

Example: "I pray for Bob, who is in the midst of so much and who is Example: "I pray for Bob, who is in the midst of so much and who is today feeling anxious about the tests we've planned. I pray that he today feeling anxious about the tests we've planned. I pray that he feel an affirmation and a peace in all that he is doing. I pray for feel an affirmation and a peace in all that he is doing. I pray for blessings upon him. Amen."blessings upon him. Amen."

““Religious Diversity: Religious Diversity: Practical Points for Health Care Providers”Practical Points for Health Care Providers”

Available on the HUP Pastoral Care website:Available on the HUP Pastoral Care website:

www.uphs.upenn.edu/www.uphs.upenn.edu/pastoralpastoral(--see the Research & Staff Education section)(--see the Research & Staff Education section)

WAYS THAT CLINICAL STAFF MAY SUPPORT PATIENTS SPIRITUALLY Chaplain John Ehman Penn Presbyterian...

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Transcript of WAYS THAT CLINICAL STAFF MAY SUPPORT PATIENTS SPIRITUALLY Chaplain John Ehman Penn Presbyterian...