Introduction
Spirituality describes a relationship with God (Spirituality Information, 2010). It is the inward spirit away above or greater oneself. The greater power and Spirit is God (Live strong, 2009)
Spiritual needs Assessment
Organizations need to describe spiritual content and capacity for her assessment and the individual requirements taking the assessment (The joint Commission, 2008) The Spiritual needs assessment (SNA) is going to be conducted under guideline questions in segment (i) and a survey involving the outlined questions taken. Sections numbered 1 to 6 will aid in the final analysis and assessment conclusion.
- Spiritual Assessment Tools addressed to the patient.
The patient is to answer the following questions:
- What gives you hope and strength to move on?
- Do you use prayer in your life?
- Describe your philosophy concerning life?
- According to your understanding, what is suffering?
- How do you handle suffering?
- What is dying to you?
- How do you cope with death?
- What are your spiritual goals?
- What impact does your religion have in your life?
- How does faith aid you cope with sickness?
Spiritual Assessment Survey
What gives you hope and strength to move on? My belief in God that He knows what is ahead of me despite my ignorance.
- Do you use prayer in your life? Yes I do.
- Describe your philosophy concerning life? There is nothing strange under the sun. What has happened today happened some time ago and might happen again in future.
- According to your understanding, what is suffering? Ignorance of the Truth.
- How do you handle suffering? I pray that God may open my understanding to know how to handle whatever situation that I do not know how to and to give me joy in going through it.
- What is dying to you? Giving up life.
- How do you cope with death? By comforting me with the thought that one day we shall all raise again so all is not lost.
- What is (are) your spiritual goal(s)? To discern the seasons of God in my life and never miss what His agenda is for me.
- What impact does your religion have in your life? I do not think I am religious; am just a Christian and that is a lifestyle.
- How does faith aid you cope with sickness? By praying for healing according to God’s word and having faith that God will heal me.
Summary of Assessment Findings
From the assessment the patient has a strong belief in God. Through the word of God, faith is build and the patient’s lifestyle shaped. The is also a belief in life after death, that though the physical body wastes away, there is another life to live there after. From the survey the patient say… “The thought that one day we shall all rise again so all is not lost”… This aids in managing illness and maintain good health.
Significant Discoveries
Despite being ignorant, the patient is confident and finds assurance in the fact that God knows what is ahead. Suffering is never limited to getting ill or facing challenging situations but, also means not knowing God and what His word says. Another discovery is discernment. Knowing and understanding hence flowing with the season discovered in God in oblivious of the surrounding circumstances. Christianity is a lifestyle and not a religion.
What went well section?
The patient had less difficulties in understanding the assessment questions and answered them without for and or being defensive in any way.
What to do differently (In future)
Inclusion of open ended questions that address “Yes” and “No” answers, and making the questions short and precise. Also including of “MCQs” (Multiple Choice Questions)
Assessment tool’s Barriers
Some questions resulted to broad selection of answers. They never resulted to a specific answer. If another patient was given such questions there might be no precision, hence need for MCQs addition to the Assessment.
Spiritual Experience
There is only one God whom individual lifestyle is developed. Just as God is Christ, Christianity is a lifestyle that emulates Christ likeness. This tool aids in one on one interaction with the patient, to understand the hindsight and unspoken, and how to respond to each of their need… “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”(Bible Gateway, n.d)
References
Bible Gateway, n.d., Proverbs 15:1. 2010. Web.
Livestrong, 2010. Spirituality. Web.
Spirituality Information, 2010. Spirituality Information. Web.
Spirituality Information. Web.
The Joint Commission. 2008. Provision of care, treatment, and services: Spiritual assessment. Web.