Glossary

Our glossary explains some of the medical and legal terms used in palliative care.

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Spiritual care provider

A professional trained to provide spiritual companionship, who enters into the lives of the suffering and the dying. Often referred to as a chaplain in health care settings.

Spiritual care provider

A professional trained to provide spiritual companionship, who enters into the lives of the suffering and the dying. Often referred to as a chaplain in health care settings.

Spiritual distress

Suffering related to a sense of disconnectedness and alienation from one’s deeper self. A loss of meaning and value.

Spiritual distress

Suffering related to a sense of disconnectedness and alienation from one’s deeper self. A loss of meaning and value.

Spiritual leader

A religious leader of a faith or cultural community, such as an elder, priest, pastor, rabbi, imam, pandit, sensei, or master.

Spiritual leader

A religious leader of a faith or cultural community, such as an elder, priest, pastor, rabbi, imam, pandit, sensei, or master.

Spirituality

The core essence of self, reflected in the values and ideals that a person holds most closely. It addresses common human questions such as these:

  • Who am I?
  • Where do I come from?
  • Why am I here?
  • Where is the meaning and purpose in my life?
  • How am I connected to others and to the world around me?

Spirituality

The core essence of self, reflected in the values and ideals that a person holds most closely. It addresses common human questions such as these:

  • Who am I?
  • Where do I come from?
  • Why am I here?
  • Where is the meaning and purpose in my life?
  • How am I connected to others and to the world around me?

Steroid / Corticosteroid

A type of medication used to shrink swelling and relieve inflammation that can cause pain. Steroids are useful in many pain situations, have anti-nausea properties, may improve appetite and can be used in low doses to alleviate fatigue. They can have side effects that need to be monitored by health care professionals. Requires a prescription. Not to be confused with steroids used to build muscle.

Steroid / Corticosteroid

A type of medication used to shrink swelling and relieve inflammation that can cause pain. Steroids are useful in many pain situations, have anti-nausea properties, may improve appetite and can be used in low doses to alleviate fatigue. They can have side effects that need to be monitored by health care professionals. Requires a prescription. Not to be confused with steroids used to build muscle.