The FICA Spiritual History Tool was developed to help health care professionals address spiritual issues with patients.
Spiritual histories are taken as part of the regular patient history during an annual exam or new patient visit, but can also be taken as part of follow-up visits, as appropriate. The FICA tool serves as a guide for conversations in the clinical setting.
The spiritual histories should be patient-centered; the tool is intended to create an environment of trust by indicating to the patient that the health care professional is open to listening to the patient about their spiritual issues, if the patient wants to talk about them.

The acronym FICA can help structure questions in taking a spiritual history by health care professionals.

F - Faith and belief
Question example: "Do you consider yourself spiritual or religious?"

I - Importance
Question example: "What importance does your spirituality have in your life?"

C - Community
Question example: "Are you part of a spiritual community?"

A - Address in Care
Question example: "How would you like me, your health care provider, to address these issues in your health care?"

See reference for more information.

Adapted from Puchalski C & Romer AL. FICA Spiritual History Tool ©. The George Washington Institute for Spirituality & Health. Internet. Available at https://smhs.gwu.edu/gwish/clinical/fica/spiritual-history-tool. Accessed on March 25, 2020.