The term imago dei is relevant because “it forms the basis of Western society's understanding of human rights and undergirds our legal system as well as our health care and social service agencies” (Shelly & Miller, 2006).

What is imago Dei and why is it important?

To say that humans are in the image of God is to recognize the special qualities of human nature which allow God to be made manifest in humans. ... Striving to bring about the imago Dei in one's life can be seen as the quest for wholeness, or one's "essential" self, as pointed to in Christ's life and teachings.

How might imago Dei be important to health care and why is it relevant?

The Christian concept of imago dei is described by Shelly & Miller (2006) as man being created in the image of God, granting dignity and honor to everyone while separating mankind from everything else on earth. This is important to healthcare because human lives depend on healthcare.