Screening for Psychiatric Disorders in Dermatological Settings: A Review of Clinically Useful Assessment Tools.

Spiritual care is widely recognized as a core component of holistic palliative care. Patients facing life-limiting illnesses often experience profound existential distress characterized by questions of meaning, purpose, suffering, mortality, and legacy (Miller et al. ). Consequently, international palliative care frameworks emphasize the importance of addressing spiritual needs alongside physical, psychological, and social concerns (Austin et al. ). Despite this consensus, many clinicians report feeling inadequately prepared to provide spiritual care, citing insufficient training, limited time, uncertainty about professional boundaries, and discomfort in engaging with existential questions (Nilsson ). As a result, spiritual care remains one of the most valued yet underdeveloped aspects of palliative practice. While modern medicine has made remarkable advances in alleviating pain, anxiety, and other distressing symptoms, pharmacological and technical interventions alone cannot address the deeper existential dimensions of suffering encountered near the end of life. Increasing attention has therefore been given to mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), which cultivate present-moment awareness and nonjudgmental acceptance of experience. Evidence suggests that MBIs can improve psychological well-being, reduce stress, and enhance quality of life among both patients and healthcare professionals (De Vincenzo et al. ). However, an important question remains insufficiently explored: beyond promoting clinician well-being, how might mindfulness influence the quality and effectiveness of spiritual care itself? This essay argues that mindfulness is not merely a wellness strategy for healthcare professionals but a foundational clinical competency that enables effective spiritual care. By fostering presence, self-awareness, compassionate listening, and nonjudgmental engagement, mindfulness strengthens the therapeutic alliance and serves as a crucial mechanism through which evidence-based spiritual interventions achieve their effectiveness.