The following recommendations have been formulated at the “First National Symposium on Integrating Spirituality & Religiosity into Clinical Practice: the way forward”, which was held on 2 September at Kosish-the Hospice in Bokaro, Jharkhand. This was a joint effort by Kosish, The Indian Association of Palliative Care(IAPC) and SANDHI, IIT Kharagpur.
- We acknowledge that spirituality, religiosity, cultural beliefs and practices are important elements of health and well being.
- There is a need to incorporate awareness of spirituality, religiosity, cultural beliefs and practices into the care of the patients.
- We acknowledge the need to respond not only to the physical needs that occur at the end of life but also to the emotional, social, cultural and spiritual needs, thus fulfilling the concept of ‘holistic care’
- An understanding and acknowledgment of the spiritual dimension of people’s lives and honoring their dignity, paves the path for compassionate caregiving.
- Spiritual care should be integral to a compassionate and patient-centered healthcare system model of care.
- The ‘planning’ of the caregiving process should comprise of a complete assessment of the patient’s and family needs including their spiritual status.
- Spiritual distress should be addressed regularly eg as an integral part of the ‘Distress Thermometer’ and analysed further to determine spiritual needs and action needed.
- Spiritual distress or religious struggle should be treated with the same intent and urgency as treatment for pain or any other medical condition.
- Spiritual care models should be interdisciplinary involving trained healthcare professionals, trained religious leaders, social workers and volunteers.
- Spiritual counseling services must be available to both the individual and the family.
Signatories
NAME | AFFILIATION |
---|---|
Prof. Suhita Chopra Chatterjee | Dept. Of Humanities, IIT Kharagpur |
Dr. Abhijit Kanti Dam | Medical Director, Kosish & Secretary IAPC, Bokaro |
Prof. MaryAnnMuckaden | President IAPC & Head Pall Care, TMH Mumbai |
Dr. Nagesh Simha | Medical Director Karunashraya, Bangalore |
Dr. Stanley Macaden | Hon Palliative Physician, Bangalore Baptist Hospital |
Dr. RoopGursahani | Neurologist, Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai |
Prof. Sukdev Nayak | AIIMS, Bhubaneshwar |
Mr. Piyush Gupta | CEO, Cancer Aid Society NGO, Lucknow |
Ms. Neha Tripathi | Cancer Aid Society NGO, Lucknow |
Mrs. Usha Rani Mohanty | Treasurer IAPC, Bokaro |
Mrs. Mini Saha | NIO, IAPC, Bokaro |
Dr. Nivedita Datta | Secretary, Kosish & Gynaecologist, Bokaro |
Dr. Subrata Dey | President, Kosish, Bokaro |
Dr. Naveen Salins | Editor, IJPC & Asst Prof TMH, Mumbai |
Dr. Kamal Das | Gynaecologist & Spiritual leader, Brahmakumaris, Bokaro |
Dr. Lulu Mathews | Academic Coordinator, IAPC, Kerala |
Dr. Sanghamitra Mustafi Bora | Consultant Pall Oncology North East Cancer Hospital, Guwahati |
Dr. Geeta Joshi | CEO, Gujrat Cancer Society, Ahmedabad |
Col. Yeshwant Joshi | Chairman, Unnat Gramsamaj Nirman Kendra, Gujrat |
Mr. Radhakrishna Menon | Central Council member, IAPC, Kerala |
Mrs. Madhura Bhatwadekar | Central Council member, IAPC, Pune |
Mr. Joydeep Sengupta | Asst Prof., SKB University, Purulia |
Mr. Natwar Nagar | MD South Asia HVS Executive Search , New Delhi,India |
Mrs. Radhika Singh | Member, DFID |
Dr. Poorvaali Sur | Geriatrician, Nagpur |
Mr. Subrat Tripathi | Pharmacologist, AHRCC, Cuttack |
Dr. Koushik Das | Gynaecologist, Bokaro |
Dr. Dilip Bhattacharya | Gynaecologist, Bokaro |
Dr. K.C. Samanta | Gynaecologist, Bokaro |
Mr. Sailesh Kumar | Lab technician & Volunteer, Bokaro |
Dr. Nirmal khanna | Gynaecologist, Bokaro |
Mr. Ravi Khanna | Architect, Bokaro |
Dr. Abhinav Singh | Central Council member, IAPC, Patna |
Dr. Reena Sharma | Central Council member, IAPC, Patna |