Experiences of Patients with Cancer and Their Nurses on the Conditions of Spiritual Care and Spiritual Interventions in Oncology Units

Overview

Journal Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res

Specialty Nursing

Date 2015 Feb 25

PMID 25709687

Citations 14

Authors

Maryam Rassouli

Vahid Zamanzadeh

Akram Ghahramanian

Abbas Abbaszadeh

Hamid Alavi-Majd

Alireza Nikanfar

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Although nurses acknowledge that spiritual care is part of their role, in reality, it is performed to a lesser extent. The purpose of the present study was to explore nurses' and patients' experiences about the conditions of spiritual care and spiritual interventions in the oncology units of Tabriz.

Materials And Methods: This study was conducted with a qualitative conventional content analysis approach in the oncology units of hospitals in Tabriz. Data were collected through purposive sampling by conducting unstructured interviews with 10 patients and 7 nurses and analyzed simultaneously. Robustness of data analysis was evaluated by the participants and external control.

Results: Three categories emerged from the study: (1) "perceived barriers for providing spiritual care" including "lack of preparation for spiritual care," "time and space constraints," "unprofessional view," and "lack of support"; (2) "communication: A way for Strengthening spirituality despite the limitations" including "manifestation of spirituality in the appearances and communicative behaviors of nurses" and "communication: Transmission of spiritual energy"; and (3) "religion-related spiritual experiences" including "life events as divine will and divine exam," "death as reincarnation," "trust in God," "prayer/recourse to Holy Imams," and "acceptance of divine providence." Although nurses had little skills in assessing and responding to the patients' spiritual needs and did not have the organizational and clergymen's support in dealing with the spiritual distress of patients, they were the source of energy, joy, hope, and power for patients by showing empathy and compassion. The patients and nurses were using religious beliefs mentioned in Islam to strengthen the patients' spiritual dimension.

Conclusions: According to the results, integration of spiritual care in the curriculum of nursing is recommended. Patients and nurses can benefit from organizational and clergymen's support to cope with spiritual distress. Researchers should provide a framework for the development of effective spiritual interventions that are sensitive to cultural differences.

Citing Articles

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Nejat N, Rahbarian A, Shykhan R, Ebrahimpour S, Moslemi A, Khosravani M J Family Med Prim Care. 2023; 12(5):894-901.

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Revision of the Advanced Cancer Patients' Distress Scale (ACPDS): a mixed-methods study among palliative patients and healthcare professionals in Germany.

Zuger A, Fischbeck S, Weber M, Mai S BMJ Open. 2023; 13(4):e066998.

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Religiosity, Emotions and Health: The Role of Trust/Mistrust in God in People Affected by Cancer.

Almaraz D, Saiz J, Moreno Martin F, Sanchez-Iglesias I, Molina A, Goldsby T Healthcare (Basel). 2022; 10(6).

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Spiritual Care Needs of Patients in Oncology Units and Nursing Practices in Turkey: A Qualitative Study.

Kokturk Dalcali B, Kaya H J Relig Health. 2022; 61(3):1861-1881.

PMID: 35244817 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-022-01537-1.

Psychosocial-spiritual interventions among Muslims undergoing treatment for cancer: an integrative review.

Abu Khait A, Lazenby M BMC Palliat Care. 2021; 20(1):51.

PMID: 33781246 PMC: 8008674. DOI: 10.1186/s12904-021-00746-x.

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