Listening carefully to patients at the end of life is at the heart of good palliative care and this book provides a means of recognizing and talking about spiritual needs even when religious language is not used. The author refers to this as a 'language of spirit'. The book is based on interviews with patients who are dying and the language that they use to describe their experiences. It deals with death, dying, the experiences of patients and the relief of spiritual pain by looking closely at patient stories, drawings and behaviour. The book explains why it is often easier to recognize than to explain spiritual issues. Part One explores the psychological, spiritual and theological interpretations of human experience. A detailed account is given of how the patients' own stories were collected. Drawing on a broad literature which is grounded in patients' words and deeds, Part Two introduces a non-religious 'language of spirit'. Illuminated by patient art, Part Three shows what patients use this language to 'say' about their situation and how it is mediated through various metaphors. Part Four suggests ways of responding positively to patients' spiritual needs. Aimed primarily at palliative care specialists and specialist nurses, this book will also appeal to health care chaplains, pastoral support workers, theologians, social researchers, and psychotherapists. 'The numerous illustrations, given by patients comments as they tell their story, make this book a truly fascinating journey through an important area of end of life care.' Dame Cicely Saunders, OM, DBE, FRCP, Founder/President, St Christopher's Hospice, London 'The emphasis on allowing patients to speak for themselves is striking... the author has presented the topic in a sensitive and refreshing way... I think this book will be well-received and it will be an important contribution to the literature of palliative care.' Dr Odette Spruyt, Head of Pain and Palliative Care Department, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, East Melbourne, Australia

About the Author
Rachel Stanworth is a trained nurse and a Doctor of Pastoral Theology. This book is based on research she conducted over three years in post as Chaplaincy Researcher at St Christopher's Hospice, London. She is also a member of the management advisory committee of The Befriending Network, a charity that trains, supports and supervises volunteers who befriend people with life-threatening or terminal illness.

Reviews
...a rewarding read and of practical value... * Practical Theology *
Health professionals, pastoral counsellors, clergy, researchers, educators and all persons interested in the language of the spirit will find this book illuminating . . . this gem of a book holds within its covers the quality of an unexpected gift for the receptive reader. * Palliative Medicine 18 *
This book should be of particular interest to anybody who has a special interest in spirituality and spiritual care, especially those who provide pastoral care in the palliative care setting. * IAHPC Website *


Awards
Winner of First Prize Winner of the Medical Journalists' Association Open Book Award for excellence in communicating medical and health information in a book for the specialist.



Book Information
ISBN 9780198525110
Author Rachel Stanworth
Format Paperback
Page Count 280
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Dimensions(mm) 231mm * 154mm * 13mm