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Return to Home Page Following are organizations or references that offer information, commentary, or experiences regarding the religious or spiritual aspects of personal health care decision-making. These references are provided for informational purposes only. Use them in your own discretion. Act with the advice of a qualified professional.


(See: Notice on Home page.)

RELIGIOUS & SPIRITUAL:

  • Puchalski, Christina, M., A Time for Listening and Caring: Spirituality and the Care of the Chronically Ill and Dying:

    • Published by Oxford Press (June, 2006).
    • Synopsis: "[E]dited and co-authored by Dr. Christina Puchalski, Director and Founder of GWish, [this book] addresses the spiritual issues involved in the care of the chronically ill and dying. The various contributors to the book offer wise insights and practical advice for addressing the pressing spiritual needs of those who are sick or dying."
    • Contents: "Part one discusses aspects of spirituality, such as presence, ethics, and relationships. Part two delves into a number of specific religious and theological traditions. Part three offers practical applications and tools, including storytelling, psychotherapy, dance, music, and the arts. Part four focuses on patients' stories and reflections. The book concludes with appendices that have sample advance directives for Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim patients."

  • Reinis, Arustra, "Reforming the Art of Dying: The ars moriendi in the German Reformation (1519-1528)":

    • Synopsis: Written by an assistant professor of religious studies at Missouri State University & published by Ashgate Press (Feb, 2007, 304 pages), this book "examines how Luther instigated a radical transformation in the public's attitudes towards dying and death. * * * Luther realized the righteousness of God is not something with which he punishes sinners, but rather something that God gives to sinners. Basically what Luther did was write books on how to reform all aspect of the Christian life based on this idea that righteousness -- or forgiveness of sins and eternal life -- is a gift. * * * [T]he book will appeal not only to academics, but also to physicians, nurses, hospice workers and others who deal with death and dying in their profession."
    • Press Release: "Professor's Book Investigates Changing Beliefs on Death and Dying; New Book Will Appeal to Physicians, Nurses, Hospice Workers, Academics" (02/27/07).

  • Sulmasy, Daniel P., "Hope and the Care of the Dying Patient: A Catholic, Christian Perspective":

  • Tibetan Book of the Dead:

    • Synopsis: The Bardo Thodol also spelled Bardo Thotrol, translated as The Tibetan Book of the Dead, for centuries was passed down orally. This ancient text was first put into written form by the legendary Padma Sambhava in the 8th century A.D. Translated, Bardo Thodol means "liberation by hearing on the after death plane". The book acts as a guide for the dead during the state that intervenes death and the next rebirth."

  • Tikkun -- a Jewish Magazine within an Interfaith Movement:

    • "Dying in the Spirit: A Progressive View of Decision-Making at Life's End", by Barbara Coombs Lee (Mar-Apr, 2007 Issue)
    • Excerpt: "My preferred ethical guidelines would apply these principles equally and openly to palliative care, terminal sedation, withdrawal of life support, and aid in dying. The two crucial ethical questions would be: *Is the proposed action wholly in service of love and compassion? *Does the proposed action follow the wishes of the patient and affirm her inherent worth and dignity?If patient, family, doctors, and others agree the answers are an unequivocal 'yes,' the action is both moral and ethical in my book, even if death is an intended consequence. Sound public policy would apply additional constraints in the form of eligibility guidelines and procedural safeguards, and these would elaborate and refine the basic ethics analysis."

  • Toolkit of Instruments to Measure End-of-Life Care -- Spirituality: One of the Key Concerns of Dying Patients:

  • United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, "Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services" (2001):

    • Synopsis: " This fourth edition of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services was developed by the Committee on Doctrine of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and approved as the national code by the full body of bishops at its June 2001 General Meeting. This edition of the Directives, which replaces all previous editions, is recommended for implementation by the diocesan bishop and is authorized for publication."
    • Excerpt: " These Directives presuppose our statement Health and Health Care published in 1981. There we presented the theological principles that guide the Church's vision of health care, called for all Catholics to share in the healing mission of the Church, expressed our full commitment to the health care ministry, and offered encouragement to all those who are involved in it. Now, with American health care facing even more dramatic changes, we reaffirm the Church's commitment to health care ministry and the distinctive Catholic identity of the Church's institutional health care services. The purpose of these Ethical and Religious Directives then is twofold: first, to reaffirm the ethical standards of behavior in health care that flow from the Church's teaching about the dignity of the human person; second, to provide authoritative guidance on certain moral issues that face Catholic health care today."
    • Commentary: "End-of-life teaching more than 'dilemmas, controversies,' priest says", by Nancy Frazier O'Brien, published by the Catholic News Service.

  • USA Today:

    • "Health system struggles with spiritual care", by Liz Szabo (02/15/07).
      • Sample: "For patients who are dying of cancer, few things are as profound as their relationship with God. Among the terminally ill, studies show, being at peace with God is more important than just about anything else, ranking only marginally lower than the desire to ease physical pain. Tracy Balboni says she was inspired to study the spiritual needs of dying patients because of her work as a radiation oncologist. About 40% of the services she provides, she says, go to patients who have little to no hope of cure but who need relief for pain or other symptoms. * * * [R]esearch also suggests that hospitals, doctors and even religious communities fail to support the spiritual needs of their cancer patients at the end of life."