Opening the door to wholistic patient care: Results from a nationally representative database on the use of spiritual and religious counseling

Opening the door to wholistic patient care: Results from a nationally representative database on the use of spiritual and religious counseling
Health Services Insights; by Peter J. Mallow, Pierson Savarino; 4/25
The introduction of the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10) code Z71.81 in 2015 enabled the systematic documentation of spiritual and religious counseling (SRC) in hospital settings, opening avenues for research into its effect on patient outcomes and healthcare resource utilization. Religion and spirituality are integral to many patients’ lives, influencing their well-being, recovery and health outcomes. SRC is primarily utilized in complex, high-mortality cases, underscoring its role in holistic care for severely ill patients. The disparities observed highlight the need for standardized SRC documentation and equitable access to SRC. Future research should investigate the clinical and economic impacts of SRC to enhance patient-centered care in alignment with value-based care practices.