Engaging with religious beliefs within a medical model of mental health care

摘要

Many studies show that people experiencing psychosis find religion and spirituality to be helpful during times of distress, yet nurses often lack training and confidence to respond to the spiritual needs of their patients. This article begins with an overview of the largely medical model through which psychosis is assessed and addressed in the UK, followed by some definitions of spirituality and religion. Then usihg a case study of Lucy, a 60-year-old African-Caribbean woman, a critical analysis considers if and how engagement with her religious beliefs in an acute inpatient setting could have improved the nurse-patient relationship and promoted recovery from an acute psychotic episode. The impact of task-driven nursing care upon meaningful engagement is explored and nurses are encouraged to focus on quality rather than length of nurse-patient interactions. The association between religiosity and psychopathology is then considered in terms of impact upon person-centred care. The value of co-creating a narrative with patients in order to promote engagement and recovery is discussed.