Developing an Effective Spiritual Assessment Tool

Running head: SPIRITUAL ASSESSMENT
SPIRITUAL ASSESSMENT
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1SPIRITUAL ASSESSMENT
This assignment deals with the development of an effective spiritual assessment tool
in compliance with the guidelines as mentioned in the Joint Commission Resource. In order
to develop a qualitative spiritual assessment tool, an interview was conducted where an
acquaintance of the interviewer was interviewed. The personal details of the participant
would not be disclosed in order to maintain anonymity of the interview participant. It should
be noted here that the assignment would be addressed in two parts, the first part would
comprise of the interview script and the second part would comprise of a vivid analysis of the
interview response gathered.
Interview setting
Hello! I am (enter your name). I am the interviewer and I would be interviewing my
acquaintance who is 68 years old and is a male. My interview respondent is an Asian in terms
of ethnicity and is a staunch follower of the Buddhist religion. The name of the interview
respondent would not be disclosed in order to maintain privacy. The medical history of the
participant reveals that he has Type II Diabetes, Hypertension and depression. It should be
mentioned here that the interview was conducted only after obtaining the consent of the
participant and the participant was also thoroughly informed about the objective and the
purpose of the interview. The interview was conducted in the participant’s drawing room at
the convenient time of the participant. The participant was comfortably seated in the drawing
room in his couch and the interviewer was seated on the opposite side in another couch.
Interview Transcript
Interviewer: What are things that provide you with strength and hope in life?

2SPIRITUAL ASSESSMENT
Participant: “Hmmm (after a pause)....Well at my age, I think faith in God gives me strength
and hope. My son and my daughter both are settled in a different continent and visit me once
in two years. My wife left for her heavenly abode a year ago and at this age, faith in God is
what keeps me going.
Interviewer: Do you believe in God? How does God’s presence affect your life?
Participant: “Yes (firmly), I do believe in God. In fact I hear God’s divine messages and I
owe everything to him. I have been able to fulfil my responsibilities as a father and when my
wife (name not to be disclosed), was alive, she often told me that I was a great husband. I
owe it all to the almighty. Faith in God is what made me bear my beloved’s loss. (looking
down at the floor)
Interviewer: In which way has your illness affected your family?
Participant: “I have a lot of health issues, I have hypertension, diabetes and depression. I
developed hypertension and depression after my wife’s death, probably because I am not
used to staying alone. My son and daughter stay far away, they visit me once in two years.
They do their bit, they take care of me and have appointed a care taker. She cooks my food
and takes cares of my medication schedule. My children regularly send me greetings and
money but at this age, you don’t need all that. You need them. (staring at the floor)..I
understand they are busy and don’t feel like bothering them every now and then.”
Interviewer: How do you perceive dying?
Participant: “Aaaah...dying is..God’s way of calling us home. Death is complete freedom
from the cycle of life..Death is returning to the father and the eternal home. For the good
deeds I have done, I would be called in heaven where I would meet my wife..”