The Interdisciplinary Spiritual Care Model – A holistic Approach to Patient Care

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René Hefti
Mary Rute Gomes Esperandio

Abstract

In the last two decades, studies on the relationship between spirituality and health have grown significantly in the International literature. In Brazil, the debate on this subject has reached greater visibility since 2009, mainly in the health sciences, with the appearance of the term "spiritual care". In theology, studies on spiritual care in the health care context are still scarce. This paper aims to contribute to the broadening of this reflection. Firstly, spiritual care is approached from scientific publications in Portuguese language. Second, the interdisciplinary spiritual care model is presented as a holistic approach to patient care and consequences of applying a spiritual care model are outlined. The newly defined role of the hospital chaplains, pastoral counselors and spiritual caregivers is also discussed. As a conclusion, the paper mentions the main challenges going along with interdisciplinary spiritual care, especially those concerning the training of health care professionals.

 

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How to Cite
HEFTI, René; ESPERANDIO, Mary Rute Gomes. The Interdisciplinary Spiritual Care Model – A holistic Approach to Patient Care. HORIZONTE - Journal of Studies in Theology and Religious Sciences, Belo Horizonte, v. 14, n. 41, p. 13–47, 2016. DOI: 10.5752/P.2175-5841.2016v14n41p13. Disponível em: https://periodicos.pucminas.br/horizonte/article/view/P.2175-5841.2016v14n41p13. Acesso em: 13 aug. 2025.
Section
Artigos/Articles: Dossiê/Dossier
Author Biographies

René Hefti, University of Bern/Research Institute for Spirituality and Health - RISH

Doctor of Medicine MD. Post-doctoral research training in religion, spirituality and health at Duke University Medical Center, Durhan/NC. Lecturer for psychosocial medicine at the University of Bern, Switzerland. Diretor of the Research Institute for Spirituality and Health RISH, Switzeland

Mary Rute Gomes Esperandio, Pontifical Catholic University of Parana - PUCPR

Psychologist (CRP 08/13082). PhD in Theology (EST,2006), professor in the Post Graduate Program in Theology and Post Graduate Program in Bioethics at the Pontifical Catholic University of  Paraná (PUCPR).