Who is appropriate to conduct a spiritual assessment upon hospital admission in suitable cases?

Who is appropriate to conduct a spiritual assessment upon hospital admission in suitable cases?

• A. Nurse
• B. Social worker
• C. Physician
• D. Chaplain

Answer: (C)

Spiritual needs are part of delivering holistic, patient-centered care, and they should be explored early during admission because beliefs and values can shape goals of care and decision-making. The physician is in the best position to initiate this discussion as part of the initial evaluation and to document the patient’s preferences in the medical plan. If spiritual distress or specific needs are identified, a referral to the chaplain or spiritual care team provides deeper, specialty-level support. Nurses and social workers can help surface concerns and support the process, but the formal assessment and coordination typically start with the physician.

Spiritual needs are part of delivering holistic, patient-centered care, and they should be explored early during admission because beliefs and values can shape goals of care and decision-making. The physician is in the best position to initiate this discussion as part of the initial evaluation and to document the patient’s preferences in the medical plan. If spiritual distress or specific needs are identified, a referral to the chaplain or spiritual care team provides deeper, specialty-level support. Nurses and social workers can help surface concerns and support the process, but the formal assessment and coordination typically start with the physician.