Alternative paths of professionalism at the margins of the healthcare system: The case of spiritual caregivers in Israel.

This article examines alternative paths of professionalism at the margins of the healthcare system through the case study of Israeli spiritual caregivers. Unlike orthodox medical professionalism, which relies on state regulation, standardized knowledge, and professional closure, spiritual caregivers emphasize client-based professionalization, professional fluidity, and connective professionalism—models that prioritize patient-centered care, flexible practices, and collaboration with other healthcare practitioners. Spiritual caregivers in Israel address patients' unmet spiritual needs, particularly around death and dying, filling a gap left by medicine and psychology, while maintaining a fluid, eclectic approach without formal licensing or standardized protocols. The study highlights how these alternative professionalism models contribute to understanding new sources of legitimacy and integration for non-traditional healthcare practitioners, suggesting implications for patients, healthcare teams, and institutions.