Part VI. Implications of spirituality with oncology patients

Abstract

Q aving cancer is life changing. The individual with cancer will reexamine the dimensions of his or her life through a lens that is tinted by this disease. Within the model of holistic life are 4 dimensions or areas: physical, emotional, social, and spiritual. Health care providers typically have done well in dealing with the first 3 aspects of oncology care, but spirituality has usually been given less, if any, attention. Recently, however, addressing the spiritual issues of patients with cancer has come into its own light and is now seen frequently in the professional’-3 and the lay literature. Interest in religion and spirituality is growing. In any given week, cover articles of major news and business magazines deal with the public’s growing interest in spirituality. 4~5 The most significant study on the effects of prayer on the outcome of patients was recently published in the medical literature.6 With the significance and rise of the concept of holistic care, the Association of American Medical Colleges has joined with the National Institute for Healthcare Research, and together they are leading the effort for spirituality education for medical students.’ Approximately 65 medical colleges in the United States have integrated spirituality into their curriculum. The John Templeton Foundation, a large conglomerate corporation, is generous with financial support for spirituality research, spirituality forums, and educational development. Spirituality has come of age, and health care providers must be prepared to meet the spiritual needs of their patients and the families.* This article presents an overview of the recent history of spirituality and religion in society, definitions for some of the most common terms within the topic of spirituality, a conceptual model for spirituality, issues in spirituality research, examination of tools that can be used to assess spirituality, and an overview of 4 of the more common spiritual interventions.