Spirituality in health: the role of spirituality in critical care

Caring for critically ill patients requires that physicians and other health care professionals recognize the potential importance of spirituality in the lives of patients, families, and loved ones and in their own lives. Patients and loved ones undergo tremendous stress and suffering in facing critical illness. Professional caregivers also face similar stress and sadness. Spirituality offers people a way to understand suffering and illness. Spiritual beliefs can also impact how people cope with illness. By addressing spiritual issues of patients, loved ones, and ourselves, we can create more holistic and compassionate systems of care.