Rev. Richard L Freeman, Sr., MSPC Children s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC Manager, Pastoral Care

Rev. Richard L Freeman, Sr., MSPC Children s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC Manager, Pastoral Care

Objectives Gain an appreciation of the imperative of spiritual care Increase personal posture of attending to patients spiritual needs Develop a better repertoire of resources to aid in meeting the needs of patients

Continuum of Care Hospice Disease-modifying therapy (curative, life-prolonging or palliative in intent) Bereavement Care Palliative Care Presentation/Diagnosis Symptom control, Supportive care Death Adopted from the EPEC Project funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 1999

Life of the Client Hospice Disease-modifying therapy (curative, life-prolonging or palliative in intent) Bereavement Care Palliative Care Presentation/Diagnosis Symptom control, Supportive care Death

The Synthesis of Humanity Spirit: The repository of meaning making Spirit Body: The building under duress Mind Mind: The facts processor Body

Spirituality: Ethical or Not Attending to the spiritual needs have been positively correlated with patient satisfaction in health care outcomes. Can a case made that not assessing/attending to a patient s spiritual-self raises to the level of non-ethical treatment? Autonomy Nonmaleficence Beneficence Justice

Spirituality: Avoiding the Ethical Quagmire Informed consent is a governing principle of patient interaction. Although often implied, there is another principle operative in medical delivery informed treatment. Spirituality must be considered when determining how medical services are dispensed.

Prepared to Care Know as many of your hot buttons as possible. Recognize you are also a learner when you are a caregiver. Understand your value systems. Care giving for the dying is a deeply spiritual journey requiring spiritual integrity.

Hot Buttons What are they? Hot buttons are known situations that takes one out of their sphere of comfort. Where do they originate? Most hot buttons are a by-product of our personal construct of likes, dislikes and that gets on my last nerve. They are also informed by our personal histories. Once understood, what do I do with them? Encounter them, just not in the role of a caregiver.

Learning While Doing Client s teach us about dying as we enhance their strategies for coping. By being spectators in the intimacy of familial interaction we gain valuable insight into our personal family dynamics. Client s perpetually hone what are called bestpractices.

Values: Doorway to the Spiritual Be acquainted with your non-negotiables. Distinguish those values that are your essence from those that are important. Safeguard those values you esteem as your essence.

Spiritual Integrity What is spiritual integrity? The ability to differentiate your values from those of a client without a compulsion to reshape the spiritual beliefs of the client. How does one nurture their spiritual integrity? Search for answers to the questions that vex your spirit. The answers must lead to peace for you and you ALONE.

Spiritual Integrity (continued) Why is it important to nurture spiritual integrity? When our issues are not the client s issues we are more empathic in our approach. We become more tolerant of differences which are apt to be discovered when working with the dying. Is this the same as religious training? No. Although our religious traditions inform our spiritual identity, it is by no means the sum total of our spiritual essence.

Spiritual Integrity (continued) What must I do when my spiritual essence is seriously threatened? Appeal to other members of the care team as a referral resource. If the situation dictates, it may be appropriate for you to step away from your care giver role.

Spirituality: Skills to enhance our delivery Curious >>> This person is unique to me. Who are they? Ask questions that provide you a better understanding of the individual What medical experiences have you had that have posed challenges? What spiritual resources do you rely on to in difficult times? What role does religion have in your life? Courageous >>> Asking the potentially difficult questions Ask questions that may evoke an emotional response yet helpful in your work If I had to share difficult information with your, how best should I approach it? Who are the persons you gain strength from? Cultivate an attentive presence