Ethical boundaries of spiritual care

Med J Aust. 2007 May 21;186(S10):S63-6. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2007.tb01045.x.

Abstract

In an age that features technologically sophisticated medical interventions, patients still desire spiritually nurturing health care. Attention to patients' spiritual needs and resources in the clinical setting may raise a number of ethical questions. Five ethical guidelines are offered as illustrations of norms that respect patients' preferences and preserve health care professionals' integrity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Australia
  • Cultural Characteristics
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Health Services Needs and Demand / ethics*
  • Humans
  • Needs Assessment / ethics*
  • Physician-Patient Relations / ethics*
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians' / ethics*
  • Primary Health Care / organization & administration
  • Religion and Medicine*
  • Spirituality*