“Spirituality is a dynamic and intrinsic aspect of humanity through which persons seek ultimate meaning, purpose, and transcendence, and experience relationship to self, family, others, community, society, nature, and the significant or sacred. Spirituality is expressed through beliefs, values, traditions, and practices.”
– National Consensus Conference on Creating More Compassionate Systems of Care, 2012 (J Palliat Med 2014;17:642-56)
Shock: inadequate flow to fuel organ systems. When a patient receives the news that they have a terminal diagnosis, they may experience shock. It may be contagious and start a ripple effect to their family members, loved ones, and friends. This shock may not have physical manifestations, but it still cuts off the circulation of hopes, dreams, and aspirations that fuel our mental, emotional, and spiritual systems. This is especially prevalent during the coronavirus pandemic. I was shocked to learn about cytokine storms wreaking havoc on otherwise healthy patients, and...
