This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Tzeng, H.-M. Articles by Yin, C.-Y. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Tzeng, H.-M. Articles by Yin, C.-Y. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Demands for Religious Care in the Taiwanese Health System

I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, tzeng_hueyming{at}yahoo.com

Chang-Yi Yin

Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan

In order to care ethically nurses need to care holistically; holistic care includes religious/spiritual care. This research attempted to answer the question: Do nurses have the resources to offer religious care? This article discusses only one aspect - the provision of religious care within the Taiwanese health care system. It is assumed that, if hospitals do not provide enough religious services, nurses working in these hospitals cannot be fully ethical beings or cannot respect patients’ religious needs. The relevant literature was reviewed, followed by a survey study on the provision of religious facilities and services. Aspects considered are: the religions influences in and on Taiwanese society; the religious needs of patients and their families; strategies that patients use to enable them to cope with their health care problems; professional motives for attuning to patients’ religious needs; and hospital provision for meeting the religious and spiritual needs of patients. A survey of nursing executives showed differences between religious service provision in hospitals with and without a hospice ward. The practical implications for hospital management and nursing practice are discussed.

Key Words: hospice care • hospital • nursing care • religious care • spiritual care • Taiwan

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?