What is your definition of spiritual careAssessing spiritual needs informally

Question What is your definition of spiritual careAssessing spiritual needs informally? How does it differ or accord with the description given in the topic readings? Explain.While formal spiritual assessment tools can help to focus attention and suggest questions that are important in identifying the patient’s spiritual needs, spiritual assessment should be an ongoing process; something that patients often explore with a chosen healthcare professional as part of developing a therapeutic relationship. The literature suggests that an open, qualitative approach to spiritual assessment may be appropriate ( Hodge 2001 , Draper 2012 ). Spiritual assessment should be based on the patient’s individual needs, rather than a tick-box exercise. The style and language used in spiritual assessments should be clear and straightforward to promote patient participation, and patient groups could be involved in developing such assessments by identifying important questions to include. Box 1 provides some examples of open questions that nurses could use to assess the patient’s spiritual needs informally. These questions can be asked when the patient is discussing their spiritual or religious beliefs, or while assessing other aspects of care.The use of formal spiritual assessment tools has limitations; for example, they may not be suitable for this area, given the sensitivity of the topic. It may be that assessing patients’ spiritual needs should be a more explorative, less standardised process; perhaps a simple enquiry when the patient volunteers relevant information. Indeed, in many cases, healthcare chaplains use an informal and discreet approach in assessing spiritual needs ( Nuzum et al 2014 ). In addition, where nurses are not already using formal spiritual assessment tools, the prospect of including additional documentation to support this can be daunting. Health Science Science Nursing PHI-413V ( 413 Share QuestionEmailCopy link Comments (0)