SUMMARY: In this episode of Gods and Genes, host Amber Sher, MS, CGC, delves into the intersection of healthcare and faith, exploring how spirituality can be integrated into medical settings. The episode addresses common misconceptions about chaplaincy, emphasizing the role of chaplains as spiritual care practitioners who provide holistic support beyond end-of-life ceremonies. Amber discusses the importance of understanding patients' spiritual needs and offers strategies for healthcare providers to engage in meaningful conversations about faith. The episode also highlights the significance of religious leaders in patient support systems. If you enjoy what you’re hearing, follow us on Instagram @GodsandGenes. Subscribe, rate, and comment on this podcast as it truly helps other interested individuals find this restorative space (godsandgenes.podbean.com). If you would like to contribute to the podcast, please reach out via email to contact@godsandgenes.com or godsandgenes@gmail.com. Gods and Genes is created, hosted, and produced by me, Amber Sher. Logo Graphic Design is produced by Safiah Peeran. Gods and Genes would not be possible without the incredible support of Gene Pool Media network. Eager for more science-related podcasts to add to your commuting playlist? Check out the shows on Gene Pool Media—there’s over a dozen different shows to choose: https://www.genepoolmedia.com/podcasts CORRECTIONS: @5:31 - “However nearly half of surveyed Americans described being religious or spiritual, but not both.” - This statistic was later verified to be incorrect. It is nearly a third (33%) of Americans who describe being religious or spiritual, but not both, as reported by the Pew Research Center in 2023. I apologize for the inconvenience this may cause. RESOURCES: Sialidosis Information Cure Sialidosis. www.curesialidosis.org. Click here to donate. National Organization for Rare Disorders. (2016, May 27). Sialidosis. NORD | Rare Disease Database. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/sialidosis/. Featured Paper Richeimer, N., Wilson, K., Petrasek, A., & Weiner, J. (2023). Emunas Chachamim (faith in the sages): A prenatal genetic counseling needs assessment of Orthodox Jewish clergy in Los Angeles. Journal of Genetic Counseling, jgc4.1816. https://doi.org/10.1002/jgc4.1816. Faith in Healthcare Pew Research Center. (2023, December 7). Spirituality among Americans. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2023/12/07/spirituality-among-americans/. Anandarajah, G., & Hight, E. (2001). Spirituality and medical practice: Using the HOPE questions as a practical tool for spiritual assessment. American Family Physician, 63(1), 81–89. Association of Professional Chaplains. (n.d.). Association of Professional Chaplains. https://www.apchaplains.org/. Best, M., Butow, P., & Olver, I. (2015). Do patients want doctors to talk about spirituality? A systematic literature review. Patient Education and Counseling, 98(11), 1320–1328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2015.04.017. Earl, B. S. W., Klee, A., Edens, E. L., Cooke, J. D., Heikkila, H., & Grau, L. E. (2022). Healthcare Providers’ Perceptions about the Role of Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Services in Substance Use Outpatient Treatment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(15), 9441. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159441. London Health Sciences Centre. (2025, October 21). Truths and misconceptions: Spiritual care. https://www.lhsc.on.ca/news/truths-and-misconceptions-spiritual-care. Puchalski, C. M., Vitillo, R., Hull, S. K., & Reller, N. (2014). Improving the Spiritual Dimension of Whole Person Care: Reaching National and International Consensus. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 17(6), 642–656. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2014.9427. Sagaser, K. G., Shahrukh Hashmi, S., Carter, R. D., Lemons, J., Mendez‐Figueroa, H., Nassef, S., Peery, B., & Singletary, C. N. (2016). Spiritual Exploration in the Prenatal Genetic Counseling Session. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 25(5), 923–935. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-015-9920-y. Skinner, M., Mason, S., & Cockling, N. (2022). How Do Healthcare Chaplaincy Spiritual Care Interventions Support Adults’ Mental Health by Integrating Health and Social Care?: A Review of Primary Research Studies Published in English 2010–2019. Health and Social Care Chaplaincy, 10(1), 27–49. https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.20588 Thompson, A. B., Cragun, D., Sumerau, J. E., Cragun, R. T., De Gifis, V., & Trepanier, A. (2016). “Be Prepared if I Bring It Up:” Patients’ Perceptions of the Utility of Religious and Spiritual Discussion During Genetic Counseling. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 25(5), 945–956. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-015-9922-9.
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