Spiritual Caregiving: Health Care As a Ministry

Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 Acknowledgments......Page 16 1. Spiritual Caregiving: Healthcare as a Ministry......Page 24 2. The State of the Current Healthcare System......Page 49 3. Envisioning the Ideal......Page 71 4. Preparation for Spiritual Caregiving......Page 92 5. Providing Spiritual Care......Page 110 6. Giving Spiritual Care: The Patient with Chronic Illness and Pain......Page 134 7. Giving Spiritual Care: The Dying Patient......Page 151 8. Spiritual Care for Special Populations......Page 168 9. Nurturing the Self: Nurturing the Spirit......Page 185 10. A David-and-Goliath Match: Taking On the System......Page 201 Appendixes......Page 212 Endnotes......Page 244 Contributors......Page 254 Index......Page 258 With today's cumbersome insurance procedures, government regulations, endless paperwork, and concerns about malpractice rates, many healthcare professionals are asking: Why am I doing this? Am I making a difference to my patients? Is there a better way—and if so, what is it? In this book, Carson and Koenig examine the state of the healthcare system with the goal of providing healthcare professionals and caregivers the inspiration and practical tools to re-claim their sense of purpose.

The book begins with an evaluation of the current system from the perspective of the spiritual vision that initially motivated and nourished many caregivers. The authors then pose a vision of a healthcare system that supports and nurtures the spirituality of patients and their families, of which some elements already exist.

An overview is provided on the preparation necessary for healthcare professionals to offer spiritual care when there are major implications—for people with chronic illnesses, psychiatric issues, devastating injuries, and those preparing for surgery, facing death, and those living with chronic pain. Also explored are ways that health professionals and caregivers can maintain their own spiritual health even as they work to bring about healing, comfort, and solace to others.

Woven throughout the book are the personal narratives of physicians, nurses, chaplains, healthcare educators, community resource workers, administrators, therapists, and psychologists—all from a wide range of religious traditions. Their examples inspire and assist professionals in renewing the spiritual focus of healthcare.

With today's cumbersome insurance procedures, government regulations, endless paperwork, and concerns about malpractice rates, many health care professionals are asking: "Why am I doing this? Am I making a difference to my patients? Is there a better way—and if so, what is it?" In this book, Carson and Koenig examine the state of the health care system with the goal of providing healthcare professionals and caregivers the inspiration and practical tools to reclaim their sense of purpose. The book begins with an evaluation of the current system from the perspective of the spiritual vision that initially motivated and nourished many caregivers. The authors then pose a vision of a health care system that supports and nurtures the spirituality of patients and their families, of which some elements already exist. An overview is provided on the preparation necessary for health care professionals to offer spiritual care when there are major implications—for people with chronic illnesses, psychiatric issues, devastating injuries, and those preparing for surgery, facing death, and those living with chronic pain. Also explored are ways that health professionals and caregivers can maintain their own spiritual health even as they work to bring about healing, comfort, and solace to others. Woven throughout the book are the personal narratives of physicians, nurses, chaplains, health care educators, community resource workers, administrators, therapists, and psychologists—all from a wide range of religious traditions. Their examples inspire and assist professionals in renewing the spiritual focus of health care. "Authors Carson and Koenig present a vision of a healthcare system that supports and nurtures the spirituality of patients and their families while simultaneously helping health professionals and caregivers to maintain their own spiritual health. Practical tips and concrete strategies help make this vision a reality by showing caregivers how they can become a vital part of changing the system and integrating a spiritual dimension into their practices. The personal narratives of physicians, nurses, chaplains, healthcare educators, community resource workers, administrators, therapists, psychologists, and social workers -- all from a wide range of religious traditions -- provide inspiration and instruction. Book jacket."--BOOK JACKET