Exploring the meaning of spiritual care in the Indian context: findings from a survey and interviews

Abstract

In India, the hospice/palliative care movement began during the 1980s and led to the establishment of India’s first service at Shanti Avedna Ashram (Mumbai) in 1986. Today, hospice/palliative care services may be found in 11/29 states in settings that include regional cancer centres, free-standing hospices, government and private hospitals, outreach clinics, and day and home care scenarios. Kerala features prominently (1) where around 46 of India’s 75+ services are located. A feature of palliative care provision is the integrated approach that focuses on physical, social, psychological and spiritual dimensions of care (2). India is rich in religious and ethical traditions that include Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Muslim, Parsee and Sikh perspectives. Yet in this multireligious environment, 20 years after the beginning of the hospice movement, little is known about the nature or meaning of spiritual care. At the 11th Conference of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) at Chandigarh (2004), these considerations led to a call for more research in this under-represented area. This pilot study begins an initial exploration of the spiritual domain and aims to inform a larger project to be undertaken in 2005. Underpinning this investigation is the following question: how do hospice/palliative care workers in India perceive the spiritual care of patients? METHODS