Conceptualising spirituality for medical research and health service provision.
The need to take account of spirituality in research and health services provision is assuming ever greater importance. However the field has long been hampered by a lack of conceptual clarity about the nature of spirituality itself. We do not agree with the sceptical claim that it is impossible to conceptualize spirituality within a scientific paradigm. Our aims are to 1) provide a brief over-view of critical thinking that might form the basis for a useful definition of spirituality for research and clinical work and 2) demystify the language of spirituality for clinical practice and research.
King
Michael B
MB
Department of Mental Health Sciences, University College London Medical School, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London, UK. m.king@medsch.ucl.ac.uk
Koenig
Harold G
HG
D001290:Attitude; D035843:Biomedical Research; D029181:Spirituality