Key Terms
Religion
Organized, community-based practice of faith; involves shared beliefs, rituals, and institutional affiliation.
Spirituality
Broader; encompasses personal sense of meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater than oneself; does NOT requ
Definition
Treating the patient as a complete person, not just a disease or set of symptoms. Acknowledges physical, mental, social,
CRISIS RESPONSE PATTERN
During the 9/11 attacks and COVID-19 pandemic, Americans reported increased church attendance, improved spirituality, an
F - Faith or Beliefs
What is the patient's faith or belief system? Does the patient consider themselves religious or spiritual?
I - Importance and Influence
How important is faith/spirituality to the patient? How does it influence their life and health decisions?
C - Community
Is the patient part of a spiritual or religious community? Is it supportive?
Patient
MH Age: 52 Sex: Male Ethnicity: Bengali Height/Weight: 65 inches / 65.8 kg Occupation: Taxi driver, New York Background:
Whole person patient care
Holistic approach treating the patient as a complete person across physical, mental, social, and spiritual dimensions.
FICA
Spiritual assessment tool; stands for Faith, Importance and Influence, Community, Address.
HOPE
Spiritual assessment tool (Beliefs, Organized religion, Personal practices, Effects on medical care and end-of-life).
SPIRITual Assessment
Structured spiritual history tool.
CSI-Memo
Abbreviated spiritual assessment tool.
ACP Spiritual History
Spiritual assessment tool developed in palliative care context.
Single Question tool
Brief; appropriate for busy practice settings; opens the conversation.