Whatever the personal beliefs of the doctor he or she has to treat people with all sorts of religions and beliefs in an equal way.

How can this be done effectively?

First tackle why it is important – up to now most doctors have avoided this area – personal beliefs are not important to health care, so doctors can neglect them

BUT – it is becoming increasingly accepted that the health belief system of the patient is important. The following steps may prove helpful –

• The doctor or health care worker needs to be clear about their own beliefs, as these may subtly affect their attitudes to patients. Should we have a questionnaire the doctor can fill in about their own beliefs, and classify themselves on Naomi’s grid, then could do the same for the patients – provide a map of spirituality.
• Then the doctor needs to be aware of and understand how the patient’s beliefs may affect their health and behaviour.
• Summary of the different religions as earlier in this book.
• How does the doctor discover what the patient’s belief systems are, especially as often much of these are subliminal?
• Starting point would be to find out the religious beliefs (if any) and how strongly these are held. We need to have simple tools to do this.
• Basic skills of engaging with the person at a spiritual level – call it a psycho-social-spiritual level if people are put off by spirituality. This covers the seven areas I discuss about spirituality. Form the basis of the “bonding” process described by Bronyard.
• TEAM – have to use other HC professionals in an integrated way. Discuss what integrated means.
• What team members – what can nurses do? Counsellors and chaplains. Links to voluntary and religious groups.

 

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