Spiritual care in common terms

By Gordon J. Hilsman

Book Description

Healthcare professionals often struggle to address the spiritual dimensions of patient care, unsure how to document or communicate these vital aspects within medical settings. Gordon J. Hilsman bridges this gap by offering a practical framework that transforms spiritual care from abstract concept into actionable practice.

This comprehensive guide demonstrates how medical teams can recognize, document, and respond to patients' spiritual needs using clear, accessible language that transcends religious boundaries. Hilsman presents spirituality through a humanistic lens, making it relevant for healthcare providers regardless of their personal beliefs or backgrounds.

Drawing from extensive field experience, the author provides concrete strategies for capturing spiritual insights in medical records. He shows how to craft meaningful chart notes that reflect patients' spiritual perspectives, family dynamics, and attitudes toward treatment and recovery. These documentation techniques help create a more complete picture of each patient, enabling more personalized and effective care.

The book emphasizes collaborative spiritual care, encouraging physicians, nurses, chaplains, and other healthcare professionals to work together in supporting patients' spiritual wellbeing. Rather than relegating spiritual matters to chaplains alone, Hilsman advocates for shared responsibility across interdisciplinary teams.

Healthcare providers will discover how to trust their own spiritual observations, think holistically about patient experiences, and translate spiritual concerns into practical medical language. This approach demystifies spiritual care while honoring its profound impact on healing and recovery.