Spirituality and Social Work Practice in Palliative Care

Abstract

AbstractPalliative care is holistic, including biopsychosocial and spiritual dimensions of care. All members of the team must address spiritual needs; much of what patients and significant others want to discuss is spiritual in nature, and spirituality is an important way of coping. Most social workers address spirituality with patients and significant others, but they may not identify the issues they are addressing as spiritual. This underscores the importance of training in this area. This chapter will define spirituality and describe relevant theoretical frameworks, assessment and intervention approaches, and guidelines for referral to a spiritual caregiver.