The connection between spirituality and health has received a lot of attention in both the scientific and lay presses. Is religion good for your health? Should doctors talk with their patients about their spiritual or religious beliefs? Should doctors pray with their patients? Through research and evidence, spirituality has been shown to be central to the care of the dying. It is therefore critical that healthcare providers know how to address a patient's spiritual needs. This book presents thinking on how spiritual care can be integrated into traditional caregiving in a practical and informed ... More

The connection between spirituality and health has received a lot of attention in both the scientific and lay presses. Is religion good for your health? Should doctors talk with their patients about their spiritual or religious beliefs? Should doctors pray with their patients? Through research and evidence, spirituality has been shown to be central to the care of the dying. It is therefore critical that healthcare providers know how to address a patient's spiritual needs. This book presents thinking on how spiritual care can be integrated into traditional caregiving in a practical and informed manner. Chapters that specifically address different religious and cultural perspectives are included. Patients' stories are used throughout to offer real-world experience. With a foreword by the Dalai Lama, the book is a guide for anyone involved in caring for the chronically ill or dying.