Panagiotis%20Pentaris%20Goldsmiths-University%20of%20London,%20Faiths%20

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HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS AND DYING
PATIENTSChallenges of a Secular Society

• Panagiotis PentarisGoldsmiths-University of
  London, Faiths Civil Society Unit-UK
• http//gold.academia.edu/PanagiotisPentaris
• http//panagiotispentaris4thanatology.wordpress.co
  m/

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Overview

• Religious/ non-religious needs of dying patients,
• Religious historiography in the UK and broader
  Europe,
• Secularism,
• Process to secularism,
• Religious literacy in health care practice.

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• The goal of a quality comfortable death is
  achieved by meeting a patients physical needs
  and by attending to the social, psychological,
  and the now recognized spiritual and religious
  dimensions of care
• Daaleman VandeCreek 2000 p.2514

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Religious Historiography
The growth of Secularism on the grounds of an
Anglican Church1905 - Present
Anglicanism ? Religious Diversity ? Secularity ?
Religious Pluralism
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Interesting facts

• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vDScmdOpOXSk
• UK Census 2011 data
• 59.3 Christianity
• 4.8 Islam
• 25.2 No religion
• Defining religion, spirituality and faith.
• Patients have emotional and spiritual needs
  (End of Life Strategy 2008)
• Spirituality is key to quality affairs (NIH)
• religious people are referred to a church
  (Pentaris, n.d.)

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Religious Literacy

• Attitudes and understandings towards religious
  and/or non-religious beliefs,
• Knowledge skills.

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Religious Literacy in Thanatological Practice
(RLTP)

• Awareness and understanding of religious
  plurality within health care practice,
  comprehended knowledge that conveys the
  relationship between faith and the experiences of
  death and bereavement, and individualistic
  willingness and professional motivation for
  enhanced end of life or hospice care (i.e.
  thanatological practice).

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Conclusion

• if staff have the necessary knowledge, skills
  and attitudes, it can be immensely satisfying.
  End of Life Strategy 2008 - UK
• Spirituality is part of the basic human
  experience. Whenever we search for meaning, or
  for a connection outside of ourselves, we are
  acting as spiritual beings. Spirituality exists
  in our connection to other humans, our
  environment and the unfolding universe beyond,
  and the transcendent. Dr. Kreitzer Center for
  Spirituality and Healing
• Faith and hope are the greatest assets of the
  patient. Listening is the greatest asset of the
  caregiver.

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Conclusions

• People only die once. What if we want to die in
  style, while writing the final chapter of a book?
  

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Questions answers
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Resources

• Daaleman, T.P. VandeCreek, L., 2000. Placing
  religion and spirituality in End-of-Life care.
  JAMA, 284(19), pp.2514-2517
• Pentaris, P. 2012. Religious competence in social
  work practice The UK picture. Social Work
  Society, 10(2), pp.1-4
• Swatos, W.H. Christiano, K.L., 1999.
  Secularization theory The course of a concept.
  Sociology of Religion, 60(3), pp.209-228
• National End of Life Care Programme
  http//www.endoflifecare.nhs.uk/
• Faiths Civil Society Unit Goldsmithshttp//ww
  w.gold.ac.uk/faithsunit/