Spirituality and discourse: a postmodern approach to hospice research

In modern western society, because of the dominance of secular modernist ideas of rationalism and positivistic science, notions of spirituality have been at best marginalised, at worst excluded from our discourse on health care. Research into spirituality has been limited by modernist epistemological assumptions concerning 'objective' proof and measurements. This discussion seeks to help reverse such a direction by offering an example of research on an Australian hospice service (Karuna Hospice Service) which is inclusive of the notion of spirituality. This research indicates that a spiritual discourse was not only important in the genesis of this organisation, but is also a significant factor in energising and guiding the ongoing democratic, holistic, compassionate praxis of this hospice service.