Newswise WASHINGTON (July 30, 2012) Christina M. Puchalski, M.D., founder and director of the George Washington University Institute for Spirituality and Health (GWish) and professor at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, authored the first comprehensive reference text to examine the growing area of spirituality in healthcare. Titled the Oxford Textbook of Spirituality and Healthcare, the textbook will serve as a guide to multidisciplinary practitioners and professionals in the healthcare community on this emerging field.

Over the last few years, there has been a growing amount of articles in medical and healthcare journals on spirituality, as well as a wide range of literature, but there has been no attempt to publish a standard text on the subject. As a pioneer and leader in the movement to integrate spirituality into healthcare in both the clinical setting and in medical education, Dr. Puchalski saw the need for a textbook on spirituality and healthcare. The Oxford Textbook of Spirituality in Healthcare is poised to be the authoritative reference on this focus, providing unequalled coverage, critical depth and an integrated source of key topics. Divided into six sections including practice, research, policy and training, the book brings together international contributions from scholars in the field to provide a unique and stimulating resource.

As the founder and director of GWish, Dr. Puchalski has contributed groundbreaking work in the clinical, academic, and pastoral understanding of spiritual care as an essential element of healthcare. In 2009 she received the George Washington University Distinguished Alumni Award and in 2011, the Outstanding Colleague Award from the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. She is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and is also a member of the contemplative Carmelite lay community. Dr. Puchalski has authored many publications and been featured in numerous print and television media.

For more information, please visit the Oxford Textbook of Spirituality in Healthcare homepage at Oxford University Press: http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/product/9780199571390.do#.UBBjqGGXQ0N. To arrange an interview with Dr. Puchalski, please contact Lisa Anderson at lisama2@gwu.edu or 202-994-3121 or Anne Banner at abanner@gwu.edu or 202-994-2261.

###

About the School of Medicine and Health Sciences Founded in 1825, the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) was the first medical school in the nations capital and is the 11th oldest in the country. Working together in our nations capital, with integrity and resolve, the GW SMHS is committed to improving the health and well-being of our local, national and global communities. http://www.smhs.gwumc.edu

Here is the original post:

GWish Director Writes the First Comprehensive Textbook on Spirituality in Healthcare