Spirituality and Medicine: Preserving Human Dignity at the End of Life – Cultural, Social and Religious Perspectives

The slogan “Death and Dignity” is frequently used with reference to a human death. Yet it is an ambiguous and often confusing concept. Rabbi David Albert addresses different meanings of human dignity, personhood and the value of life. This course will deepen your bioethical vocabulary and teach practical skills that better support patients to live, and die, with dignity.

Target Audience

Physicians and Psychologists, Chaplains, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners and Nurses who provide care for dying patients and their families.  

American Psychological Association (APA) Accreditation Statement 

American Psychological Association (APA)

Baptist Health South  Florida is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Baptist Health South Florida maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This conference is approved for 1.0 CE credit. This is an intermediate conference.

Learning Objectives

  • Define the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) definition of “good death.”
  • Analyze the importance of cultural competency when treating a patient at end-of-life.
  • Identify steps that help promote human dignity.
  • Apply IOM’s evidence-based recommendations for end-of-life care.
Additional information
Bibliography: 
  • Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality, September 2008, ECRI Institute
  • Institute of Medicine, January 2000, National Academies Press
  • APA Resolution on End-of-Life Issues and Care (http://www.apa.org/about/policy/end-of-life.aspx) 
  • Battin, M. P. (1996). The death debate: Ethical issues in suicide (pp. 175-203). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
  • Benoliel, J .Q. & Degner, L. F. (1995) Institutional dying: A convergence of cultural values, technology, and social organization. In H. Wass & R. A. Neimeyer (Eds.) Dying: Facing the facts (pp. 117-141). Washington, DC: Taylor and Francis.
  • Blendon, R. J., Szalay, U. S., & Knox, R. A. (1992). Should physicians aid their patients in dying? The public perspective. Journal of the American Medical Association, 267, 2658-2662.
  • Chochinov, H. M., Tataryn, D., Clinch, J. J., & Dudgeon, D. (1999). Will to live in the terminally ill. Lancet, 354, 816-819.
  • Field, M. J., & Cassel, C. K. (Eds.). (1997). Approaching death: Improving care at the end-of-life. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
  • Foley, K. M. (1995). Pain, physician-assisted suicide, and euthanasia. Pain Forum, 4, 63-178.
  • Weisman, J. S., Haas, J. S., & Fowler, F. J. (1999). The stability of preferences for life sustaining care among persons with AIDS in the Boston Health Study. Medical Decision Making, 19, 16-26.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Florida Board of Nursing
  • 1.00 Nurse Practitioners
  • 1.00 American Psychological Association
  • 1.00 General certificate of attendance
Course opens: 
11/01/2015
Course expires: 
11/01/2017

Rabbi David Albert, D.Min. BCC
Senior Staff Chaplain
South Miami Hospital 
Pastoral Care Services

Rabbi David Albert, D.Min. BCC, indicated that neither he nor his spouse/partner has relevant financial relationships with commercial interest companies, and he will not include off-label or unapproved product usage in his presentations or discussions. 

Non-faculty contributors and others involved in the planning, development and editing/review of the content have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. 

Disclosure Policy and Disclaimer

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Florida Board of Nursing
  • 1.00 Nurse Practitioners
  • 1.00 American Psychological Association
  • 1.00 General certificate of attendance

Accreditation Period

Course opens: 
11/01/2015
Course expires: 
11/01/2017
Please login or register to take this course.

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