Spiritual Care

When Spirituality Engages Medicine

Bibliographic Data

ID24021293
AuthorsMartina Vanzo (University of Turin, corresponding author), Stefania Palmisano (0000-0002-4489-9519, University of Turin)
Year2026
Volume17
Issue8
Pages930-930
Publication date2026-08-06
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReligions (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/rel17080930
OpenAlexW7196927329
LanguageEN
References cited46

This paper analyzes contemporary medicine as a prime arena for the expression of “engaged spirituality”, understood as an action-oriented approach aimed at social and clinical change. The focus is on palliative care, a person-centered model that challenges biomedical reductionism by integrating the physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of the patient. Through a review of the state of the art, the article reconstructs the historical separation between “health” and “salvation”, highlighting the critical issues of the Italian context: “institutional inattention” and difficulties in managing religious pluralism. In contrast, international experiences and the adoption of technical tools demonstrate that spiritual care is now measurable and essential clinical competency. The analysis presents the results of empirical research which, through the voices of healthcare professionals, shows how palliative care translates spirituality into operational practice. By valuing the concept of “total pain”, this approach not only improves quality of life at the end of life but also serves as a holistic paradigm exportable to other medical fields, ensuring the recognition of the person’s integral dignity.

Health care · Holistic health · Palliative care · Quality of life (healthcare) · Reductionism · Spiritual care · Spirituality · Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Workplace Spirituality and Leadership

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access