Death With Dignity Podcast Episode 17 with Rev. Kathleen Hatlevig & Allison Kestenbaum
Jun 4, 2022
Allison Kestenbaum and Rev. Kathleen Hatlevig, both chaplains at UC San Diego Health, share their insights on providing spiritual care, particularly for palliative patients. They discuss the delicate balance of faith and ethics in end-of-life decisions, including medical aid in dying. Topics like the emotional complexities surrounding death and the importance of open family communication are explored. They also delve into how spirituality can comfort or challenge patients, emphasizing the role of chaplains in navigating these profound experiences.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Role of Chaplains Explained
- Chaplains accompany people during major life moments, especially health crises.
- They help process existential, spiritual, and emotional questions related to life changes.
Spiritual Care in Medicine History
- Spiritual care was historically part of healing and is becoming integrated in modern hospitals.
- Hospitals now require spiritual care through accrediting agencies as part of whole-person care.
How to Access Chaplain Services
- To access chaplain services, patients or families should ask directly for spiritual care support.
- Medical teams often assess spiritual needs and can coordinate outpatient chaplain visits.
