Introduction I have chosen to start

Introduction I have chosen to start my exploration of spirituality in the healthcare context, because this context is central to my research questions. Spirituality is a highly debated and even mystical concept, yet it is commonly used in daily life and in the healthcare environment. The word has attracted many definitions and a lot of discussion within the nursing healthcare literature. It is amazing that the usages and definitions can be so varied and wide-ranging. In the following paragraphs, I argue that despite the fact that the concept of spirituality is diffused by varied definitions, the term is very important in its own right. Instead of engaging in circular arguments about the reality of spirituality to show its validity, I affirm that it is crucial to understand the connotations of related concepts, the tasks they perform and the context in which they are expressed in the world of healthcare. This enables healthcare professionals to be flexible, while at the same time being specific, in order to address the diverse needs of people in crisis.