Abstract
The need to include the spiritual dimension when assessing clients and planning their healthcare is evident from numerous studies conducted by various disciplines. Practitioners of holistic care agree that spiritual care must be included to address fully the needs of clients. The aim of this qualitative research was to explore and document the stories of clients regarding the role healthcare professionals provide in spiritual care. A hermeneutical phenomenological approach was used to interview, document, and analyze the stories of 15 participants (n = 15) regarding their perceptions of spiritual care received or given during times of illness. Initially, only one participant mentioned the role of doctors and nurses in providing spiritual care. After specifically asking about spiritual care, half of the participants shared that they had received spiritual care. Prayer as a mode of spiritual care emerged as a prominent theme. Lack of spiritual care received was documented. The hesitancy to provide spiritual care was evident in participants who were also healthcare providers. More research is needed to further define spiritual care. Education regarding spiritual assessments and spiritual care strategies is needed for both patients and healthcare providers.
Highlights
Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, left a rich legacy of spirituality in nursing practice and based many of her views on a spiritual philosophy (Mowdy 2006)
The findings indicated a need for education for social workers regarding spirituality, spiritual assessments, and strategies for spiritual care
Religious affiliations and cultural backgrounds affect the perception of spirituality and spiritual care
Summary
Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, left a rich legacy of spirituality in nursing practice and based many of her views on a spiritual philosophy (Mowdy 2006). Nurses accepted their service to the sick as a calling and a ministry. Spirituality has been recognized as a human need throughout the history of nursing (O’Brien 2008; Taylor 2002). Nurses often recognize the efficacy of spiritual interventions, many nurses feel inadequate to address spiritual needs and omit spiritual care
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