Over the last several decades, the topic of spirituality has come to the forefront of public and professional consciousness. With the dawn of a new century, spirituality has received increased coverage in the media and more discussion in the workplace, politics, and education. Individuals are pursuing their own spiritual growth, longing to connect in a conscious way to the life fore that is behind everything they see and experience (O’Brien, 2017; Young & Koopsen, 2011).
Today, there is a wider acceptance of the topic of spirituality for all healthcare providers and the need to understand the spiritual and religious beliefs and practices of clients. All people are spiritual and, by virtue of being human, all people, regardless of age, are biopsycho-social-spiritual beings. Widespread evidence shows that the interest in spirituality is not confined to individuals who attend church or who are identified as being religious. Spirituality is an integral part of the health and well-being of every individual.
According to DeLaune and Ladner (2006), people throughout history have dealt with pain, illness, and healing in spiritual ways. In many primitive cultures, a single person simultaneously held the positions of priest, psychiatrist, and physician. Freeman (2008) notes that the first practices of spiritual healing were performed during the stone age by shamanic priest-doctors. Healing practices were also recorded in ancient Egypt and in the early Jewish and Christian traditions
Today many Americans believe their spirituality helps promote healing, especially when medications and other treatments cannot provide a cure for their conditions As the information age gives way to the intuition age, healthcare professionals will need to focus less on logical, linear, mechanical thinking and more on creative, lateral, and emotional thinking.
The field of integrative health care calls for healthcare professionals to promote an environment in which the spiritual beliefs of the individual, family, and community are respected. This shift in focus means that the provision of care will encompass a more holistic perspective—one that attends to all aspects of mind, body, and spirit. A holistic foundation means that healthcare providers will assess and respond to each client’s physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions.
Healthcare professionals are entrusted with the holistic care of their clients. This means nurses and other healthcare providers care for the soul and spirit as well as for the body. By caring for individuals in a way that acknowledges the mind-body-spirit connection, healthcare providers acknowledge the whole person. Spiritual care is a part of holistic care (DeLaune & Ladner, 2011).
No discussion of spirituality would be complete without referring to the concept of a supreme being or intelligent force. This being is known throughout the world by many different names, including God, Goddess, Allah, Higher Power, Universal Intelligence, Spirit, the Absolute, and Source. In using some of these names throughout this course, we mean no disrespect to anyone and sincerely hope none is taken.