Evidence-Based Spiritual Care Practice in the Canadian Context: Twenty Years Later

Area of Science:

• Spiritual Care
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Hermeneutics

Background:

• Evidence-Based Spiritual Care Practice (EBSCP) is rooted in Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) principles.
• EBSCP has been adopted across various professional disciplines.
• Initial development and research in EBSCP occurred in Canada, with subsequent advancements by US researchers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the developments, strengths, and challenges of Evidence-Based Spiritual Care Practice (EBSCP).
• To explore the integration of EBSCP within the Canadian healthcare context.
• To identify areas for future research in EBSCP.

Main Methods:

• A hermeneutical approach was employed.
• The method involved comparing and interpreting diverse written texts related to EBSCP.

Main Results:

• The review highlights the evolution and current state of EBSCP.
• Key strengths and significant challenges in EBSCP were identified.
• The study discusses the progression of EBSCP from its origins.

Conclusions:

• Integrating EBSCP into the Canadian context presents specific challenges and opportunities.
• Further research is essential to advance the practice and application of EBSCP.
• The findings provide a foundation for refining EBSCP models and implementation strategies.