What does spiritual care look like in a hospital setting? In this episode, we explore the broad and evolving role of the Spiritual Health Practitioner, a healthcare team member who offers emotional, existential, and spiritual support to patients, families, and even staff, regardless of belief system.

Host Dr. Cameron Wong speaks with Suzanne Robertson, a passionate and dedicated Spiritual Health Practitioner, about the many dimensions of this deeply human role. As the spiritual and religious needs of our society shift, so too does this profession, evolving to meet the diverse needs of patients in today's complex care environments. It's enormously rewarding work with extraordinary people going through everyday experiences that we'll all be confronted with. It's also a way to recognize a person's humanity in moments where they may otherwise feel pathologized.

From helping patients process grief or life-altering diagnoses to supporting healthcare workers through burnout and moral distress, Suzanne brings clarity and compassion to an often unknown part of the healthcare team.

If you're starting your residency and feeling overwhelmed, unsure, or just in need of a meaningful conversation, don't hesitate to reach out to your hospital's spiritual health team. As Suzanne reminds us, they're here for you too.

If you're starting a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate. It's free, and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more.