TY  - BOOK
AU  - Kraft, James A.
TI  - From Ars Moriendi to Ars Transitus: Christian Perspectives on Advance Care Planning
PY  - 2019///
CY  - Johannesburg, South Africa
PB  - South African Theological Seminary
N2  - For centuries, the church has guided individuals in all matters of life and death. Death was common and uncomplicated, and the church provided leadership and practical guidance for the dying (and those attending them) through a body of literature known as the “Ars Moriendi” (The Art of Dying).

Technological advances of the past century have tended to change the focus of medicine from a caring, service-oriented model to a technological, cure-oriented model. Nowadays, death and dying are a healthcare “problem” managed by healthcare institutions, insurance companies and government policy.

This exploratory study aims to analyse Christian perspectives on advance care planning and to present a conceptual model of collaborative care in the United States, one which better integrates healthcare with spiritual care for the purposes of educating, equipping and assisting individuals to transition this life spiritually, emotionally, physically and free of distress, thereby creating a new “Ars Transitus” (The Way of Transition).

Utilising qualitative and quantitative methodology, I examine the attitudes and practices of physicians, nurses, pastors, and parishioners regarding advance care planning and spiritual care. I also review the spiritual support provided to over 90.000 patients in four hospitals over a period of one year and identify the practices within the United States’ healthcare system and local churches that best promote highly effective person- and family-centred care.

Pursuant to the above, I offer a model of care along with a tool that will strengthen the continuity of spiritual care between local congregations and healthcare institutions. In addition, I offer a sample decision aide for surrogate decision-makers to use when called upon to make decisions for someone on life support who identifies as “highly religious”
ER  -