Opposing Vitalism and Embracing Hospice: How a Theology of the Sabbath Can Inform End-of-Life Care

Medicine often views hospice care as “giving up,” which results in a reduced quality of end-of-life care for many patients. By integrating a theology of the Sabbath with modern medicine, hospice becomes a sacred and valuable way to honor the dying patient in a comprehensive and holistic way. A theol...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Sawicki, Sarah K. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Oxford University Press 2021
In: Christian bioethics
Year: 2021, Volume: 27, Issue: 2, Pages: 169-182
RelBib Classification:AG Religious life; material religion
BH Judaism
NCH Medical ethics
RK Charity work
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Summary:Medicine often views hospice care as “giving up,” which results in a reduced quality of end-of-life care for many patients. By integrating a theology of the Sabbath with modern medicine, hospice becomes a sacred and valuable way to honor the dying patient in a comprehensive and holistic way. A theology of Sabbath as “Sacredness in Time” can provide the foundation for a shift in understanding hospice as a legitimate care plan, which shifts the focus from controlling and manipulating space for the body, to rest and enjoyment of time for the whole person. First, I explore vitalism and its negative effects on the institution of hospice. Second, I address the main misconceptions and biases surrounding hospice in order to establish hospice as an appropriate option for the terminally ill. Finally, I argue for a shift away from sacredness in space (as seen in vitalism) to sacredness in time.
ISSN:1744-4195
Contains:Enthalten in: Christian bioethics
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1093/cb/cbab008