Spiritual Caregiving Summary:

With today’s cumbersome insurance procedures, government regulations, endless paperwork, and concerns about malpractice rates, many healthcare professionals are asking: “Why am I doing this? Am I making a difference to my patients? Is there a better way—and if so, what is it?” In this book, Carson and Koenig examine the state of the healthcare system with the goal of providing healthcare professionals and caregivers the inspiration and practical tools to re-claim their sense of purpose.

The book begins with an evaluation of the current system from the perspective of the spiritual vision that initially motivated and nourished many caregivers. The authors then pose a vision of a healthcare system that supports and nurtures the spirituality of patients and their families, of which some elements already exist.

An overview is provided on the preparation necessary for healthcare professionals to offer spiritual care when there are major implications—for people with chronic illnesses, psychiatric issues, devastating injuries, and those preparing for surgery, facing death, and those living with chronic pain. Also explored are ways that health professionals and caregivers can maintain their own spiritual health even as they work to bring about healing, comfort, and solace to others.

Woven throughout the book are the personal narratives of physicians, nurses, chaplains, healthcare educators, community resource workers, administrators, therapists, and psychologists—all from a wide range of religious traditions. Their examples inspire and assist professionals in renewing the spiritual focus of healthcare.

Highlights

Calls for change in the current healthcare system

Renews the spiritual mission of caregivers

Includes resources and assessment tools for clinical practitioners

National advertising:

JAMA
Journal of Pastoral Care
Leadership
Christian Century
Modern Healthcare
Ministries Today

National publicity:

Feature article sent to 10,000 daily and weekly newspapers;

National television campaign pickup guaranteed in at least 200 local papers n Radio tour to 20+ U.S. markets

Review copy mailing to 200 health and religion editors

National speaking tour

About the Author:
Verna Benner Carson, Ph.D., R.N., CS-P, is the national director of behavioral health at Staff Builders Home Health and Hospice. She was associate professor of psychiatric nursing at the University of Maryland School of Nursing for twenty-one years. She is the author of four books, including Parish Nursing, coauthored with Harold Koenig, a regular contributor to scholarly nursing journals, and a nationally known speaker on spirituality and healthcare.

Harold G. Koenig, M.D., has degrees from Stanford University, University of California at San Francisco, and Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Koenig has also given testimony before the U.S. Senate and the United Nations concerning the benefits of religion and spirituality on health. He is the author of numerous books including Spirituality in Patient Care, Parish Nursing, Purpose and Power in Retirement, Faith in the Future, and The Healing Connection.