Question: Discuss the concept of Spirituality in life-limiting illness?

In the context of palliative care Spirituality has been defined as “the dynamic dimension of human life that relates to the way persons (individual and community) experience, express and/or seek meaning, purpose and transcendence, and the way they connect to the moment, to self, to others, to nature, to the significant and/or the sacred’.

There is perhaps no other area of health care where Spirituality takes on greater significance than at the end of life care where people facing life-limiting illness often face questions that have no easy answers.

Guidelines for Assignment Assessment

Aims

The aim of this assignment is to help develop your understanding of a critical concept in Palliative Care. This involves reflection on, and discussion of, the concept of “Spirituality”.

Requirements

You will need to analyze the concept and discuss its importance and relevance to the provision of care to the terminally ill and dying patient. In order to do this, you will need to independently review and analyze literature in relation to Spirituality in palliative care.

All discussion must be supported with reference to relevant up to date literature and your essay must include the following sections – Introduction This should provide an outline of what will be discussed in the main body of the work.

Comments on the topic may include –

• Definition of the concept
• The importance/relevance / of the concept for people facing a life-limiting illness
• A statement of the case to be argued.

Main Body

This is where you should present the main ideas and arguments on the topic, and the materials to support them. All discussion/augments must be substantiated by referring to appropriate literature. The organization of the material is important – the sequencing of material should be logical and lead to clear conclusions. You may find it useful to use thematic heading to present your work.

In this section, you will need to –

• Access and review literature in relation to the concept of “Spirituality” and analyze the information that you have reviewed
• Identify and discuss the spiritual challenges faced by people with a terminal illness
• Identify and discuss how addressing this concept can help relieve suffering and maximize the quality of life for patients and their families.
• Identify and discuss how Nurses can help provide effective spiritual care for patients Conclusion This should summarise the main argument of your essay and highlight the implications for nursing practice.