Spirituality in Cancer Care: A Qualitative Study
Journal Title: مجله تحقیقات کیفی در علوم سلامت - Year 2014, Vol 2, Issue 4
Abstract
Introduction: Spirituality is an important aspect of health care that has been proposed in nursing over the past decades. It is recommended as an inseparable component of holistic nursing. This study aims to explore the nurses’ and patients’ perception of spirituality in cancer care. Method: In a conventional qualitative content analysis, data was collected through purposive sampling by semi-structured deep interviews with 17 participants (10 patients and 7 nurses) in oncology units of hospitals in Tabriz, and was analyzed simultaneously. Robustness of data analysis was evaluated by the participants and external control. Results: The emergent main theme was the "spirituality raising interactions". This theme consisted of three sub-themes of "spiritual elevation in cancer care", "spiritual care barriers", and "religion-based strategies". Patients with cancer understand cancer as an opportunity for belief correction, closeness to God, and awareness of death as reincarnation. Nurses had poor skills in assessing and responding to patients' spiritual needs and there were no support from organizations and clergymen for them in addressing spiritual distress of patients. However, they were a source of energy, joy, hope, and power for patients through their empathy, compassion, and openness. Patients and nurses used strategies based on religious beliefs for strengthening their spiritual dimension. Conclusion: Spiritual care requires a patient-centered approach in communication. Communication in which the religious and spiritual beliefs of patients are considered as a valuable source of spiritual coping, and which gives them the feeling of empathy, trust, passion, and joy. For reduction of barriers, the integration of spiritual care issues in the curriculum of nursing and service training programs is recommended. Care environment must be changed for religious practices and spiritual advisors and clergymen should help patients and nurses in coping with spiritual distress.
Authors and Affiliations
Vahid Zamanzadeh, Maryam Rassoul, Abbas Abbaszadeh, amid Alavi-Majd, Ali-Reza Nikanfar, Farnaz Mirza-Ahmadi, Akram Ghahramanian
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP638948
- DOI -
- Views 154
- Downloads 0
The Ideal Status and Expectations of the Gifted and Talented Students: A Qualitative Study
Introduction: Gifted and talented students are the main customers and driving force of the education system, therefore, the existence of a permanent mechanism based on their demands, expectations, and problems seems nece...
Concept of Spirituality: A Conventional Content Analysis
Introduction: Health is a holistic concept that incorporates physical, social, cultural, emotional, spiritual, mental, mystical, intrinsic, communicative, and cognitive dimensions. However, spirituality is the least unde...
Bam, Iran, Earthquake Experiences, Life Suddenly Collapse in a Few Seconds: A Qualitative Study
duction: Since Iran is accident-prone, paying attention to the issue of crisis, particularly earthquake, is very important. On Friday, December 26, 2003 at 5:26 a.m., a devastating earthquake converted Bam City, Iran, an...
Barriers to Implementing Performance-Based Budgeting at Iranian Universities of Medical Sciences: A Qualitative Study
Introduction: A performance-based budgeting system provides the link between performance indicators and resource allocation. This study aimed to identify the barriers to implementing performance-based budgeting at Irania...
Experience of Divorce Demandants before Marriage (Dating, Engagement, and Marriage): Phenomenological Analysis
Introduction: Due to the negative consequences of divorce, evaluation of the reasons inducing this phenomenon, is of great importance for therapists and researchers. The aim of this study was to examine the role of pre-m...