Centre for Policy on Ageing



The physician's role in the assessment and treatment of spiritual distress at the end of life
Author(s)	Anthony E Brown, Simon N Whitney, James D Duffy
Journal title	Palliative & Supportive Care, vol 4, no 1, March 2006
Publisher	Cambridge University Press, March 2006
Pages	pp 81-86
Source	http://journals.cambridge.org
Keywords	Terminal care ; Spiritual characteristics [elderly] ; Religion ; Doctors ; Social roles.
Annotation	Patients at the end of their life typically endure physical, emotional, interpersonal and spiritual challenges. Although physicians assume a clearly defined role in approaching the physical aspects of terminal illness, the responsibility for helping their patients' spiritual adaptation is also important. This article describes, firstly, the terms and definitions that have clinical utility in assessing the spiritual needs of dying patients; secondly, reviews the justifications that support physicians assuming an active role in addressing the spiritual needs of their patients; and finally, reviews clinical tools that provide physicians with a structured approach to the assessment and treatment of spiritual distress. This review suggests that physicians can and should be equipped to play a key role in relieving suffering at the end of life. (KJ/RH).
Accession Number	CPA-061003202 A
Classmark	LV: EX: TR: QT2: TM5
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.