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Religion, Spirituality and Speech-Language Pathology: A Viewpoint for Ensuring Patient-Centred Holistic Care

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Abstract

This paper presents a viewpoint concerning the largely neglected clinical relevance of spirituality and religious belief in speech-language pathology (SLP) assessments, interventions and outcomes across the lifespan. An overview of the refereed SLP literature is presented with regard to religion and spirituality. It was found that while there is increasing research with regard to spirituality, health and well-being, there is very little specific to SLP. What is available and clinically relevant, generally relates to holistic care and/or cultural and linguistic diversity. Amidst the health care literature, however, there is a growing number of recommended instruments (for religious/spiritual screening) sensitive to intercultural and interfaith issues that are currently available to medical, nursing, allied health and chaplaincy practitioners. These instruments can also be of value to SLPs to ensure holistic assessments and interventions. It would seem timely for SLPs (and other allied health practitioners) to consider including spiritual screenings/assessments as part of their clinical practice so as to ensure appropriate holistic care. This would also mean undertaking research and including relevant education within tertiary institutions and professional development programs.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank librarians Annette O’Brien and Wendy Ratcliffe (La Trobe University, Bendigo Campus) for their assistance in the production of this manuscript. Appreciation is also acknowledged to Professor Travis Threats (St. Louis University, Missouri, US), for encouraging the development of this topic as part of the Lynda R. Campbell Memorial Lecture Series: ATLAS Week Topics in Diversity at St. Louis University, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association continuing education program for Speech Language Pathologists.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Speech Pathology, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, Australia

    Bernice Mathisen

  2. Palliative Care Unit, School of Public Health, La Trobe University, 215 Franklin St., Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia

    Lindsay B. Carey & Lilli Krikheli

  3. Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, Department of Education and Training, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Christa L. Carey-Sargeant

  4. School of Humanities and Social Science, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia

    Gwendalyn Webb

  5. Department of Human Communication Sciences, Department of Education and Training, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    CaraJane Millar

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  1. Bernice Mathisen
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Correspondence to Lindsay B. Carey.

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Mathisen, B., Carey, L.B., Carey-Sargeant, C.L. et al. Religion, Spirituality and Speech-Language Pathology: A Viewpoint for Ensuring Patient-Centred Holistic Care. J Relig Health 54, 2309–2323 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-015-0001-1

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