In Every Detail: Spiritual Care in Pediatric Palliative Care Perceived by Healthcare Providers

Abstract

ContextSpiritual care is an essential domain of pediatric palliative care. The current mainland China faces a lack of national guidance and a shortage of specialized personnel to provide spiritual care in a traditional developing country. ObjectivesTo identify spiritual care in pediatric palliative care services in mainland China from the perspective of healthcare professionals. MethodsA qualitative descriptive interview study was conducted individually with 27 participants: 14 physicians, seven nurses, and six social workers. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. ResultsParticipants described that the essence of spiritual support was provided “in every detail” throughout pediatric palliative care. Four major themes and eleven subthemes were identified. 1) Assessing spiritual needs: paying attention to different perspectives; considering religion, tradition, and culture; discovering spiritual needs behind other needs. 2) Facilitating spiritual exploration: being with the family; providing resources; guiding by providers’ own faith; 3) Supporting connections: encouraging the building of personal bonds; facilitating the establishment of spiritual connections. 4) Relieving spiritual suffering: facilitating a family review of child's life; supporting building meaning in daily life; assisting in leaving a legacy for the child. ConclusionThis study illustrated that current spiritual support, though not formally organized, is provided individually in pediatric palliative care services in mainland China. Strategies for a practice guide, education and training for professionals, and cultural building need to be rationally developed to strengthen and structure spiritual support integrated into pediatric palliative care.