WEEK 5 (Jennifer Agcanas)

Chaplain's spiritual care process of "clinical pastoral education and chaplaincy programs" is something I had not heard of before but after reading the article, I am intrigued to do further research. Empathetic listening, being mindful of your own thoughts and mental processes, etc. is said to grant an empathetic, nonsuffering companionship to the emotional pain of the patient as a healthcare system. I find this a great thing for the health care system in that it's so important for people to empathize and connect to their patients on a deeper, spiritual level so the environment can feel safe and more comfortable for them to be in. In general, prolonged hospital visits and having medical conditions are very detrimental to one's mental health so the incorporation of spirituality into the health care systems like within medical education and psychiatric residency training programs would be a tremendously positive impact on the patients' emotional/mental state. My question is: "What if the patient was to decline this program? Would the health care professionals treat them differently?"