Work

Spiritual Assessment of Neurologic Patients

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Wellness is a core component of health care and integral to holistic whole-person care, which includes not only the medical and psychological domains but also attention to patients' spirituality. Spirituality plays a key role in meaning-making and coping, particularly for individuals living with neurologic disease (PwND) who often live with profound uncertainty. Recent Findings: While spirituality can support PwND through disability, life transitions, and terminal diagnoses, it is often only addressed during crises and deferred to chaplains or palliative care teams unfamiliar with the patient. Research has shown that patients often welcome being asked about their spirituality while clinicians are frequently reluctant to do so. Implications for Practice: Given its association with improved patient outcomes and satisfaction, spiritual screening is a vital skill for neurologists to hone as part of comprehensive, person-centered care, although these skills are rarely included in neurology training.

Source: Neurology Clinical Practice

DOI: 10.1212/cpj.0000000000200591

Authors: Indu Subramanian, Christina L. Vaughan, John R. Peteet, Kirk Hall, W. Curt LaFrance

Institutions: University of California, Los Angeles, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, University of Colorado Anschutz, Harvard University, Brown University

Language: English

Topic: Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7130364036

FWCI: 22.61

Cites: 21

Cited by: 3

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