Spiritual care should be an integral part of of comprehensive palliative
care given to every patient, but is probably the least understood
and most often neglected. Spirituality is not the same as
religious beliefs. Spirituality is about existential issues, the
purpose of life. The existentialist approach to life, delineated
by Jean-Paul-Satre says that the human mind is incapable of
discerning any meaning in existence. (This is not the same as
saying there is no meaning--just that it will always remain a
mystery to us). While many people express their spirituality
through religion, there are many others who do not. Hence,
spirituality emphasizes the universality of existential issues and
they are not necessarily dependent on any religion or religious
practice.Spirituality is unique to
each person. It is founded in cultural, religious and family
traditions, and is modified by life experiences. It is the basis
for an individual's attitudes, beliefs and actions. It may or may
not be expressed through a formal belief structure or religion.
Questions pertaining to spiritual and
existential issues may arise as a result of any life event of peak
emotions, but occurs most frequently in responds to terminal
illness.
Spiritual or existential problems, whether
recognized or not, are an important source of clinical
suffering. Hence recognition followed by successful management of
these issues would benefit patient.
It is possible that many of the patients
classified as withdrawn and depressed are really suffering
spiritual or existential distress.
Patients vary in their desire to pursue
spiritual issues or existential concerns. Some will not discuss
it, some just need the presence of a sympathetic person to listen,
and others may wish to pursue the matter in great depth. |
