Biennial Conference

Illness causes an existential crisis for people as it confronts them with the fragility, vulnerability and finitude of the human condition. Serious illness and hospitalisation can be challenging and life-changing experiences, especially in a context with poor resources and limited support. Healthcare workers meet patients in this space of disarray. Human qualities, such as faith, hope and compassion become crucial aspects of care. Patients’ responses to these qualities highlight the importance of spirituality as part of holistic care, not only for the patients and their families, but also for the healthcare worker. The 2nd Biennial South African Conference on Spirituality and Healthcare brought together leading experts from different disciplines, and offered a variety of perspectives to explore the ways in which spirituality interacts with healing, growth and wholeness in healthcare. This volume addresses principles and practices for spirituality and healthcare, spiritual assessment, the role of community psychology, models of spiritual care, volunteers and children’s spirituality in healthcare.