Spirituality in Patient Care: Why, How, When, and What

by Harold G. Koenig

This landmark handbook for health professionals interested in identifying and addressing the spiritual needs of patients has been significantly revised and expanded. Over the past five years, since the first edition was written, there has been increased research on the relationships among religion, spirituality, and health, and further discussions on the application of these findings to clinical practice. Every section of the book has been rewritten and updated with current research. "I think this version will be my most important contribution to the field of spirituality and health," says Dr. Koenig. "Every bit of what I know about the integration of spirituality into clinical practice, learned over twenty years, is contained in this book."

Koenig addresses the whys, hows, whens, and whats of patient-centered integration of spirituality into patient care, including details on the health-related sacred traditions for each major religious group. He provides health care professionals with the training necessary to screen patients sensitively and competently for spiritual needs, begin to communicate with patients about these issues, and learn when to refer patients to trained spiritual-care professionals who can competently address spiritual needs.

New sections specifically address mental-health professionals, nurses, chaplains and pastoral counselors, social workers, and occupational and physical therapists.

A ten-session model course curriculum on spirituality and health care for medical students and residents is provided, with suggestions on how to adapt it for the training of nurses, social workers, and rehabilitation specialists.

272 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2002

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Harold George Koenig

Reviews

[Josh Sheak · Rating 4 out of 5]

The majority of the book consisted of careful, deliberate, and conventional advice on how to approach spirituality in medicine. There were a few gems though. For example, it is a bad idea to invite clergy into a room where a patient is victim to a serious trauma. It sends a historic message that all has been done for the patient and it is now time for the patient to make peace with whatever faith system they hold. The comments on patient-led prayer were helpful, but still had a conventional feeling.