Spirituality is an essential element of healthcare because spirituality is, as Viktor Frankl wrote, the essence of our humanity. Spirituality speaks to what gives ultimate meaning and purpose in a person’s life. It is that part of people that seeks healing and reconciliation with self or others. Spiritual values such as hope, faith, and altruism can help people handle adversity and cope with suffering and illness. Religions offer people a language of hope and ways to understand their suffering. Religious and other spiritual communities also offer people social support. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Puchalski is associate professor, Medicine and Healthcare Sciences, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences; associate professor, Health Leadership and Management, The George Washington University School of Public Health; and director, The George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC Address reprint requests to: Christina Puchalski, MD, MS, The George Washington University, 2131 K St NW #510, Washington, DC 20037; or e-mail hcscmp@gwumc.edu. Dr. Puchalski disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
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A 2006 study studied this question.