ChiPPS Pediatric Palliative Care Newsletter Issue #11: Spirituality and Pediatric Palliative Care

Primary Author: National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)

This issue of the Children's Project on Palliative/Hospice Services (ChiPPS) Pediatric Palliative Care Newsletter focuses on Spirituality and Pediatric Palliative Care.

Articles include:

- Faith & Family: Religious Rituals when a Baby or Child is Dying by Ann Fitzsimons
- The Spirituality of Compassionate Presence by Mark Power, BCC
- Faith Communities: A Hand of Mercy by Randy Johnson, M.Div.
- Assessing Cultural and Religious Diversity in Pediatric Palliative Care by Rev. Paula J. Teague, D.Min., BCC, ACPE, CPE Supervisor

Spiritual Assessment in Clinical Practice

Primary Author: Christina M Puchalski, George Washington University Medical Center

A Lion in the House DVD Modules for Health Care Education

Primary Author: A Lion in the House, Community Media Productions, Inc.

A compelling set of teaching modules is available from the Emmy Award-winning documentary about children with cancer, A LION IN THE HOUSE. Based on real-life case studies, where things do not always go so well, the stories offer a forum to consider and discuss approaches to helping families navigate life and death issues related to cancer.

The Case Studies in Spirituality and Childhood Cancer Module offers specific, complicated case studies around issues of spirituality during a pediatric medical crisis. The Institute of Medicine defines pediatric palliative care to include the spiritual needs of a family, with a broad view of spirituality as the search for meaning and purpose in life and in death. Many families rely on spiritual resources in times of health-related crises, especially at end-of-life. Yet the majority of medical caregivers do not address issues of spirituality with their patients, with many feeling ill-equipped to do so. This module offers the insight of several veteran pediatric oncologists around spirituality issues.

-Each DVD module contains mini movies shot over a course of six years, competencies & objectives, discussion questions, a recommended resource list, and a PowerPoint presentation.

Spirituality in Health and Nursing Care

Primary Author: Doreen Westera, Memorial University.

This is a series of videos pertinent to nursing and allied health education. It includes videos on:

- Spirituality
- Nurses and Spiritual Care
- Spiritual Assessment
- Spirituality in Mental Health Care
- Spirituality in Palliative Care
- Spiritual Care and Life Threatening Illness
- Spiritual Care in Gerontological Nursing
- Spiritual Care and Chronic Health Problems

The complete videos (each about 20 minutes) are available for purchase on DVD. Preview the first 9 minutes of each here: http://www.youtube.com/user/NursingEducationRes

Spirituality and Health - What does the medical literature say?

Primary Author: Michael Rabow, UCSF Medical Center

One hour video of a discussion on the role of spirituality in health. From the series: "UCSF Mini Medical School for the Public."