From the Perspective of the Physician

Abstract

The value of spiritual care, the significance of the faith community in the well-being of an individual, and the importance of community are a few of the important elements to the worldview of the physician partnering with a faith community nurse. It is important for the physician/faith community nurse partnership to include the education of others and fostering a continuum of care. Uncovering issues in the community that are compromising the health of individuals, advocating for change related to those issues, along with educating the faith community and health care system on these issues is collaborative work. The physician not only needs to value the role of the faith community nurse, but also understand how this role is an important ingredient to health care reform. This chapter presents one physicians “call” to care for the underserved through the faith community and support of the maturation of the faith community nurse movement.