| dc.description.abstract | Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has presented unprecedented health challenges across
all strata in society throughout the world. The COVID experience has caused us to reflect on
quality of life, health and well-being and, just as important, end of life. During this time,
spiritual care forms a vital component of holistic health management, especially in terms of
coping, coming to terms with illness, suffering and ultimately death. The relationship with the
transcendent or sacred has a strong influence on a people’s beliefs, attitudes, emotions and
behaviour. Populations, communities, families and individuals have always found solace
through their religious or philosophical beliefs during times of personal adversity and
widespread anxiety or disaster. Although spiritual care has always been a part of the domain
of religious beliefs, a more contemporary perspective is that spiritual care forms part of the
human psyche and thus forms part of human care, health and well-being for families, patients
and healthcare workers. Spiritual care deals with the provision of compassion and empathy
during periods of heightened stress, distress and anxiety within care. This article provides
insights into the necessity of providing spiritual care as a means of coping and well-being for
families, patients and healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. | en_US |
