A survey to explore health care staff perceptions of spirituality and spiritual care working in a single district health area in New Zealand

Abstract

IntroductionThere is increasing literature suggestive of the positive benefits of 'spirituality' and their links to health and wellbeing. We wished to explore staff’s perceptions of spirituality and spiritual care working in a single district health area in New Zealand. MethodA staff survey was undertaken using a questionnaire incorporating the validated 17-item Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale (SSCRS) and a new 4-item Spiritual Care Confidence Scale (SCCS). Results635 participants completed the survey (48.4% nurses, 10.7% physicians, 36.6% allied health professionals and administration staff). Participants identifying a religious belief had a higher mean score for spiritual care confidence than staff reporting no religion, t(608) = −3.69, p = .000. Nurses recorded a statistically significant higher SSCRS mean score (x¯ = 66.36, 95% CI [65.68, 67.05]) compared to allied health professionals (x¯ = 64.44, 95% CI [63.58, 65.69]) p = .012. Nurses, midwives or physicians had a significantly higher mean score for spiritual care confidence (x¯ = 15.4.7, SD = 2.2) than allied health professionals (x¯ = 14.3, SD = 3.1), t(307) = −4.42, p = .000. Formal training (62.7%) and guidance on spirituality and spiritual care (60.5%), communication skills (56.3%) and inclusion on staff induction programs (51.1%) was requested to help staff meet patients’ spiritual care needs. ConclusionThis multi-professional survey suggests differences in perceptions of spirituality and confidence in providing spiritual care dependent on religious beliefs and professional role. Results should be used to shape design and delivery of spiritual care education across clinical settings.