The spiritual aspect of care
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has made many statements about the importance of the spiritual part of the person.
The WHO states: “Until recently the health professions have largely followed a medical model, which seeks to treat patients by focusing on medicines and surgery, and gives less importance to beliefs and faith. This reductionist or mechanistic view of patients as being only a material body is no longer satisfactory. Patients and physicians have begun to realise the value of elements such as faith, hope and compassion in the healing process. The value of such ‘spiritual’ elements in health and quality of life has led to research in this field in an attempt to move towards a more holistic view of health that includes a non-material dimension, emphasising seamless connections between mind and body”.
This sentiment is similarly reflected within nursing and other health care organisations that make reference to the spiritual aspect of care:
Nursing Midwifery Council (2010) Standards for pre registration nursing education
International Council of Nurses (2006) Code of ethics for nurses
Government health departments have also reflected spirituality in care:
England: Religion or belief: a practical guide for the NHS
Scotland: NHSScotland: Spiritual care matters
Wales: Standards for spiritual care services in the NHS in Wales 2010
Other drivers for the integration of the spiritual dimension within nursing care can be found in models of nursing practice, the philosophy of holistic care, and indeed wider society with its diverse religions and belief.
Move to the next chapter: What spirituality is and is not