What is Spirituality? -- The psychology of spirituality and religion in healthcare -- Spiritual assessment in healthcare: an overview of comprehensive, sensitive approaches to spiritual assessment for use within the interdisciplinary healthcare team -- Spirituality is a Public Health Issue – The potential role of spirituality in promoting health -- Health Outcomes of Religious and Spiritual Belief, Behavior, and Belonging: Implications for Healthcare Professionals -- Spirituality and Childbirth -- Providing spiritual care – An exploration of required spiritual care competencies in health care and their impact on health care provision -- The role of the nurse in providing spiritual care – A case study approach to exploring specific care provision by healthcare workers in the context of an interdisciplinary healthcare team -- Loss and Grief in people with Intellectual disability -- The Role of the Healthcare Chaplain – A summary of the contribution of healthcare chaplains to modern health care practice -- Teaching and Learning about Spirituality in Healthcare Practice Settings -- Working with diversity – An overview of diversity in contemporary society and the effect of this on healthcare situations -- Being Human: Cultivating Mindfulness and Compassion for Daily Living.

This book provides a condensed but comprehensive up-to-date overview of spirituality and its application to health care. The need for healthcare workers to provide spiritual care or meet patients’ spiritual needs is gaining increasing importance in nursing and midwifery policy at local, national and international level. Internationally, there is a growing belief in spirituality as a valid dimension of care. The book highlights a range of examples and case studies facilitating the practical application of the recommendations discussed. In addition to presenting new psychological perspectives, various activities throughout will encourage readers to form their own opinion on the issues covered. The suggestions for further reading and useful websites will also help readers interested in exploring specific areas in more depth. Combining contributions by authors from various disciplines, the book offers a valuable tool for qualified professional healthcare workers in practice, including nurses, social workers, doctors and chaplains. With its handy format, this practical pocket guide offers a faithful companion for practitioners.