Bishop Raimo Goyarrola of Helsinki will defend his doctoral dissertation in medicine at the University of Eastern Finland in Kuopio on Friday, 5 June 2026. His dissertation, Spirituality in palliative care in Finland. Development of questionnaires to assess spiritual care, examines spirituality in palliative care in Finland and the development of questionnaires for assessing psychological and spiritual care.
The opponent will be Associate Professor Liz Gwyther of the University of Cape Town, and the custos will be Professor Reino Pöyhiä of the University of Eastern Finland. The public defence, conducted in English, will take place at the Faculty of Health Sciences.
In an interview given before the defence, Bishop Raimo said that his interest in the spiritual dimensions of end-of-life care began during his years as a physician. According to him, palliative care is not only about relieving physical pain but about encountering the whole person.
Bishop Raimo noted that people facing serious illness often reflect on the meaning of life, suffering, death and hope. In his view, spiritual questions are a natural part of being human, and therefore it is important for healthcare professionals to be able to recognise the spiritual needs of patients.
In the interview, Bishop Raimo stressed that spiritual care does not mean imposing religion on anyone. Rather, it is about listening, respecting a person’s convictions, and helping those in difficult situations experience dignity, hope and peace.
According to Bishop Raimo, much attention is paid in Finnish society to physical and mental health, while the spiritual dimension often receives less consideration. Yet the human person is a whole, and spiritual life can play a significant role, especially at the end of life.
Bishop Raimo said that one of the aims of his research was also to develop practical tools for use in Finnish healthcare. These tools can help healthcare professionals better assess patients’ spiritual needs as part of holistic care.
Fides / uef.fi
– The full interview can be read and the dissertation downloaded in its entirety from the website of the University of Eastern Finland (uef.fi).