Abstract
Spirituality and spiritual care in professional nursing are conceptualised and recognised as fundamental components of holistic healthcare. Despite the acceptance of and interest in spiritual care, a lack of education and clinical training on the subject limits nurses’ ability to meet patients’ spiritual needs. Consequently, the aim of this study was to analyse the effectiveness of a training programme designed to teach the specific knowledge, attitudes and competencies necessary to provide spiritual care in nursing practice. This study consisted of a one-group pre-post intervention design with two measurement times (baseline/pre-intervention and post-intervention). A teaching activity about spiritual care in nursing practice was designed and implemented (focal groups, open discussion, discussion groups and clinical case studies). The educational intervention was developed by the authors based on a literature review, research and feedback from the undergraduate students. A convenience sample of 369 nursing students at the University of Alicante (Spain) who were enrolled in the teaching subject of Psychology participated in this study. The effectiveness of the teaching activity was assessed through a self-administered 15-item questionnaire. The post-intervention results indicated that the programme was effective in improving knowledge, competencies and attitudes related to spiritual care. The implications of this study for teaching practice and future research are discussed
Highlights
An expert report issued by the World Health Organisation has stated that “The spiritual aspect of human life may be viewed as an integrating component, holding together the physical, psychological and social components
The present study had a twofold objective: first, to design and apply a standard training package that covered basic and specific knowledge related to spirituality, and second, to assess the effectiveness of the educational intervention using the Nursing Students’ Spirituality Training Questionnaire (NSSTQ)
The educational intervention aimed at improving knowledge of one’s own spirituality and spiritual care in clinical nursing practice through the use of case studies has been effective
Summary
An expert report issued by the World Health Organisation has stated that “The spiritual aspect of human life may be viewed as an integrating component, holding together the physical, psychological and social components It is often perceived as being concerned with meaning and purpose and, for those nearing the end of life, this is commonly associated with a need for forgiveness, reconciliation and affirmation of worth” (WHO 1990). States consider spiritual care an essential component—rather than an optional element—of healthcare based on a holistic quality model (EC 2010). This European document recommends that specific training in spirituality be included in the healthcare curriculum. Analysis and identification of spiritual needs according to the following conceptual model: (a) need for meaning and coherence; (b) need for connection; (c) need for transcendence
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