Death is a natural process which is inevitable in living beings. Patients may have complicated changes in physical, psychological and spiritual aspects while their lives approach to the end. An appropriate intervention will be important for both patients and health professionals to cope with this issue. According to literature review, religion is helpful for terminally ill patients. It is a better way for patients to meet their psychological needs because it answers questions such as “what happens after death”, whereas scientific methods can not achieve. The aim of this study was to investigate how the health professionals involve religions into care plans. The data was collected using interviews with medical members, and patients’ responses on the records. Buddhist chaplains not only provided spiritual care, but also led patients to make a plan to be a Buddha in the future life. There were 93.1% of the subjects wishing that someone came to comfort their minds. 72.4% of the subjects preferred to refer to spiritual consultants. 62.1% of the subjects felt that religions were very important to them. 55.2% of the subjects needed religious services. 58.6% of the subjects liked religious books and music. After religious intervention, 90% of the subjects obtained spiritual energy, such as reducing the fear of death, conceiving the limit of life, believing the afterlife, approving the meaning of their life, resolving the conflict, forgiving themselves and others, facing death peacefully. The purpose of this study is to verify responsibilities of the health professionals, and build the staffing standard, integrate different field among religion, medicine, and academia. We hope to develop a hospice care model merged with local religions, cultivate more members who devote to the hospice, and promote the quality of spiritual care for terminally ill patients.
