A Vision for the Future

This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book focuses on the dominant worldview in the West and the importance of treating patients as people, not as technical 'problems' to be solved. It presents some of the obstacles to developing a spiritually competent health service and outlines how health care professional can enable real change through cultural shift at a personal and organisational level. The book also outlines the educational and research effort needed to underpin this change. Team-working and good leadership are vital organisational facilitators. Organisations can also facilitate spiritually competent practice by having realistic expectations of what staff can achieve and by providing time, space and support to front-line practitioners. At the postgraduate level, spiritually competent practice can be encouraged and supported by discussion in the multidisciplinary team setting, through continuing professional development and by supervision, coaching and mentoring.