Healthcare and Spirituality

Primary Author: Stephen P. Kliewer, Oregon Health and Science University

This is an introductory textbook that emphasizes the need to integrate spiritual issues in the process of healthcare. It uses the biopsychosocial model and includes chapters on:

- Healing, cure, and the whole person
- Toward a model of integration
- Exploring spirituality
- The impact of spirituality
- The objectives of integrating spirituality and medicine
- Spiritual assessment
- Spiritual interventions

How Spiritual Are You?

Primary Author: Robert Cloninger, Washington University

From Time Magazine, a helpful test adapted from a personality inventory devised by Washington University psychiatrist Robert Cloninger.

Impact of Religion on Health

Primary Author: Harold G. Koenig, Duke University Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health

This is a 2005 talk given by Dr. Koenig that provides a broad overview on the interaction between religion and health and pitfalls clinicians should avoid when communicating with patients about spirituality/religion.

Improving the Quality of Spiritual Care as a Dimension of Palliative Care: The Report of the Consensus Conference

Primary Author: Christina M. Puchalski, GWish: The George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health

Integrating Spirituality and Health: Self Study Learning Module

Primary Author: The Wayne E. Oates Institute

The learning objectives for this CE course (3.0 contact hours) are to:

1. Recognize spirituality as an important dimension of health and healing.
2. Encourage inter-disciplinary dialogue that facilitates integrative care.
3. Use a specific method for taking a patient's spiritual history.
4. Advocate for the advantages of becoming familiar with a patient's spirituality as part of a comprehensive evaluation.