Spirituality In Healthcare Research Articles

Nurses’ and Nursing Assistants’ Perceptions of Spiritual Healthcare

Healthcare chaplains in hospital have a number of roles, many of which may not be known. Whether staff are aware of healthcare provisions and the roles of the spiritual healthcare services will influence the use of these services for patients and, of course, for staff themselves. If staff are not aware of chaplains' roles this may affect the ability of chaplains to carry out their full range of roles and provide the care needed for patients and staff.
 We investigated nursing and nursing assistants' awareness of spiritual healthcare services in a cardio-vascular department, consisting of six wards and an outpatient clinic, in a central London tertiary NHS Trust hospital. Of the 184 members of staff that are nurses or nursing assistants, 78 filled in our questionnaires (42%). These questionnaires provided descriptive quantitative data to gauge awareness of spiritual healthcare services and provide information for which services needed development. By using the questionnaire, we also hoped to raise awareness of the services provided.

Efficacy of an educational intervention on students' attitudes regarding spirituality in healthcare: a cohort study in the USA

ObjectiveTo determine if an educational intervention focused on the role of spirituality in healthcare positively affects medical students' attitudes and perceptions relating to this topic.DesignA pre-post cohort study.SettingAn undergraduate medical...

The Spiritual Health Status and Spiritual Care Behaviors of Nurses in Intensive Care Units and Related Factors

Patients suffer sudden and life-threatening conditions in intensive care units (ICU), which frequently result in traumatic changes in physical, mental, and spiritual health. Little research has been conducted on the spiritual health and spiritual care behaviors of nurses in ICU. To explore the relationship among demographic characteristics, spiritual health, and spiritual care behaviors in ICU nurses. A descriptive correlational research was used and 219 nurses from three teaching hospitals were enrolled as study participants. A structured questionnaire consisting of a demographic datasheet, a spiritual health scale, and a spiritual care behavior scale was used for data collection. SPSS for Windows version 22.0 was used for statistical analysis. The participants received few hours of spiritual-care education. The highest scored item for spiritual health was "connecting with people". The highest scored item for spiritual care behavior was "helping the patient out of adversity". Participants who were older in age and who had more years of clinical experience exhibited spiritual care behaviors such as "helping the patient out of adversity" and "retaining hope" more frequently with their ICU patients. The older and more clinically experienced nurses in this study performed spiritual care behaviors at a higher frequency than their younger, less experienced counterparts. Therefore, it is recommended that hospitals retain more-experienced nursing staff to elevate the level of holistic health care. Concurrently, training in spiritual care skills should be provided to younger and less experienced nurses in order to facilitate more spiritual care behaviors. The results of this study provide a reference for providing spiritual care behaviors to patients.

Analysis of influencing factors on spiritual health of postoperative patients with gastric neuroendocrine neoplasm

Objective To explore the influencing factors on spiritual health of postoperative patients with gastric neuroendocrine neoplasm (gNEN) . Methods A total of 108 patients with gNEN who undertook operation in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from July 2013 to July 2016 were recruited by purposive sampling method. All the research subjects were investigated with a general information questionnaire, the Chinese Version of Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual-12 (FACIT-Sp-12) , Herth Hope Index (HHI) and Social Dysfunction Screening Scale (SDSS) . Results Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that age, educational level, religious belief, SDSS and HHI were the influencing factors of spiritual health in patients with gNEN (P<0.01) . Conclusions Age, educational level, religious belief, social function and hope level were the influencing factors of spiritual health in patients with gNEN. Nursing staff need to construct a scientific and effective spiritual health care model according to the characteristics of patients. Key words: Neoplasms; Gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms; Spiritual health; Hope level; Social function

Spiritual Intelligence and Spiritual Wellbeing in the Students of a Nursing College

Background & Aims: Spiritual healthcare team members, especially nurses, play a key role in providing holistic care. Spiritual wellbeing in students is essential to identifying the spiritual needs of patients and their spiritual support. Characteristics such as spiritual intelligence influence the attitude of individuals toward spiritual matters, as well as their spiritual wellbeing. The present study aimed to determine the association between spiritual intelligence and spiritual wellbeing in nursing students. Materials & Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 178 students in Borujen Nursing College, Iran in 2015. Participants were selected via census sampling. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, spiritual intelligence questionnaire (Badi et al.), and spiritual wellbeing scale (Paloutzian and Ellison). Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 16 using descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: A positive, significant correlation was observed between the spiritual intelligence and spiritual wellbeing of the students (r=0.7; P≤0.001). According to the regression analysis, spiritual intelligence could predict spiritual wellbeing (r2=0.54; P≤0.001). Mean total spiritual intelligence in the students was 3.63±0.3 (range: 1-5), and mean total spiritual wellbeing was 4.3±0.6 (range: 1-6). No significant correlations were observed between spiritual intelligence and spiritual wellbeing with demographic variables (P≥0.05). Conclusion: According to the results, spiritual intelligence results in the spiritual wellbeing of students. Moreover, spiritual intelligence could predict the improvement of spiritual wellbeing. Therefore, it is recommended that educational managers consider the role of spiritual intelligence in spiritual wellbeing and periodically review and improve these variables in students through proper planning.

Spiritual Care Perspective of College Student-Athletes.

Spirituality in healthcare has been researched in multiple healthcare professions; however, very little research has been done in athletic training, and no studies have investigated the athletes' perception. The purpose of our online survey study was to determine the perceptions of college student-athletes on spiritual care. Our participants included 268 collegiate student-athletes from both faith-based and non-faith-based institutions. Respondents agree that spirituality may affect treatment progress, addressing spiritual concerns of the athlete could result in a more positive outcome, and certified athletic trainers should have some basic skills and knowledge to support the spiritual needs of the athlete.

Spiritual health care during pregnancy from Iranian mothers’ perspective: a qualitative study with content analysis approach

ABSTRACTPregnancy and childbirth provide ideal conditions for spiritual enrichment. This study aimed to investigate the spiritual health care experiences of mothers during pregnancy in Iran. In this qualitative content analysis study, 48 semi-structured and in-depth interviews were conducted with 36 women who were pregnant or had recent experience of successful pregnancy. Subjects were selected by purposive sampling and data accuracy and trustworthiness were checked using Lincoln and Guba’s criteria. For data analysis, a conventional content analysis approach was used. One theme and four categories were found in this study. Mothers were shown to be attentive about spiritual health care during pregnancy through caring for the spiritual growth of the self, the child, the family, and the community. The mothers’ experiences during pregnancy can serve as a guide for healthcare planners to develop a proper spiritual health promotion programme.

Nurses’ Understanding of Spirituality and the Spirituality of Older People with Dementia in the Continuing Care Setting

This research paper was presented at the Third International Spirituality in Healthcare Conference 2017—‘Creating Space for Spirituality in Healthcare’ at Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin. 22 June 2017. The number of older people living with dementia in Ireland is rising. Dementia is prevalent among those residing in the continuing care setting. Nurses have a professional obligation to provide person centred, holistic care, to which spiritual care is a core element, yet often do not. As there are no guidelines in Ireland for spiritual care provision it is open to personal interpretation and application. This study was the first in Ireland to explore how spiritual care is understood by nurses in the context of older people living with dementia in a public, rural, continuing care setting. A qualitative descriptive design was utilized. Following purposive sampling, eight semi structured interviews were conducted in a rural Irish community hospital among registered nurses caring for older people living with dementia. A conceptual framework developed from the findings of a literature review, as well as this research study’s aim and objectives framed the interview schedule and data analysis. Data analysis utilized Newell and Burnard (2011) Thematic Content Analysis. Ethical approval was granted by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin (TCD). Six key themes emerged from the study—1. Understandings of Spirituality, 2. Assessing spiritual need, 3. Providing spiritual care, 4. The impact of spirituality on quality of life, 5. Barriers to spiritual care and how these are addressed, and finally 6. The needs of staff. This paper presents and discusses the findings of the first theme ‘Understandings of Spirituality’ and its two sub-themes, 1. ‘The nurse’s own understanding of spirituality’ and 2. ‘The nurses’ understanding of spirituality and older people living with dementia.’ It is evident from the findings that there exists a variety of responses with regards to the nurses’ own understanding of the concept spirituality and spirituality for older people living with dementia. Participants placed emphasis on person-centred approaches to understanding and providing for the needs of care recipients’ in this area of care. Most participants acknowledged the positive impact of spiritual care on quality of life for older people living with dementia. Indications for practice suggest the need to develop suitable evidence based professional, person-centred frameworks, guidelines and educational standards for nurses which better equip them to understand spirituality and how this area of need can be properly assessed in partnership with the recipient of nursing practice in the continuing care setting to ensure comprehensive holistic, person-centred practice.

Enhancing Spiritually Based Care Through Gratitude Practices: A Health-Care Improvement Project.

Addressing spirituality in health care is important as it improves health outcomes; however, several provider barriers exist to providing spiritually based care. Local problem: A chart audit at a multidisciplinary wellness center serving a population with chronic mental health problems identified a need to improve the number of spiritually based interventions provided to clients by the nurse practitioner. A quasi-experimental design and pre- and post-test questionnaire were used to measure outcomes including the number of spiritually based interventions and provider attitudes. Providers, including a nutritionist, exercise physiologist, pharmacist, acupuncturist, and nurse practitioner, participated in two, 1-hour interactive educational sessions on providing spiritually based care, emphasizing the use of gratitude practices. The mean number of spiritually based interventions charted per visit by the nurse practitioner increased from 0.4 pre-implementation to 1.1 post-implementation (rate ratio = 2.57, with 95% CI [1.75, 3.87]; p < .001). Descriptive statistics from all providers show improvements in attitudes and comfort level in addressing spiritually based care. Several intervention areas documented by the nurse practitioner decreased significantly, including mind/body, which may be related to the study, as many spiritually based interventions are also mind/body interventions. Interactive educational sessions on spirituality can improve a health-care team's attitudes, comfort level, and practice of providing spiritually based care. Generalizability is limited to the project site, but the process could be implemented in other facilities to determine if similar results can be achieved.

Spirituality in the Healthcare Workplace

Spirituality involves a sense of connectedness, meaning making and transcendence. There is abundant published research that focuses on the importance of spirituality to patients and their families during times of illness and distress. However over the last decade there has also been a growing awareness about the importance of considering the need to address peoples’ spiritual needs in the workplace. Engaging in ones own personal spirituality involves connecting with the inner self, becoming more self aware of ones humanity and limitations. Engaging with ones personal spirituality can also mean that people begin to greater find meaning and purpose in life and at work. This may be demonstrated in the workplace by collegial relationships and teamwork. Those who engage with their own spirituality also engage more easily with others through a connectedness with other staff and by aligning their values with the respective organization if they fit well with ones personal values. Workplace spirituality is oriented towards self-awareness of an inner life which gives meaning, purpose and nourishment to the employees’ dynamic relationships at the workplace and is eventually also nourished by meaningful work. Exercising ones personal spirituality contributes towards generating workplace spirituality. Essentially acting from ones own personal spirituality framework by being in doing can contribute towards a person becoming a healing and therapeutic presence for others, that is nourishing in many workplaces. Personal spirituality in healthcare can be enhanced by: reflection in and on action; role-modeling; taking initiative for active presence in care; committing oneself to the spiritual dimension of care; and, integrating spirituality in health caregivers’ education. As spirituality is recognized as becoming increasingly important for patients in healthcare, increasing educational opportunities are now becoming available for nurses internationally that could support personal and workplace spirituality.

Special Issue “International Conference of Spirituality in Healthcare. Nurturing the Spirit”—Trinity College Dublin 2016

This is an editorial of a Special Issue regarding the International Conference of Spirituality in Healthcare held in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Republic of Ireland (ROI), on June 2016 (Spirituality Research and Innovation Group 2016).[...]

Locum Life in Spiritual Health Care – Is It for Me? Is It for You?

This article is a brief consideration from an individual perspective about locum spiritual care practice gained from experience working in psychiatric and geriatric units, emergency departments and neurological disease wards. The article addresses questions such as, “What is it like being a locum?” “What are some of the issues for the locum practitioner, the organization, the field of spiritual care?” Locum work in the spiritual care field is not new, but the ongoing professional development of spiritual care as a recognized professional discipline requires it to be carefully examined in the light of best practice spiritual care in the healthcare sector. A version of this personal reflection was originally presented at the Spiritual Care Australia national conference, “Inspiration in Diversity: The Shifting Sands of Spiritual Care” (SCA, Melbourne 2016).

Perceptions of Chaplains' Value and Impact Within Hospital Care Teams.

Many scholars have written about the role of spirituality in health care. One mechanism for incorporating spirituality into the care of patients is to integrate clinically trained chaplains into hospital care teams. We examined in a mixed-methods fashion, the effects of this type of integrated care team within a teaching hospital setting. The quality and impact of chaplain involvement were studied from patient and physician-in-training perspectives, using data from more than 200 patients and physicians in training. Findings clearly show that clinically trained chaplains can contribute meaningful expertise and real value to the quality and comprehensiveness of patient and physician experiences.

Canadian Children and Spiritual Health: Foundations for Spiritual Care

The spiritual health of adolescents is recognized as being a topic of profound importance, yet little is known about the relationship between spiritual health and its broader impacts on the health of adolescents. This knowledge is necessary if we are to provide adequate spiritual health care to this population. In this article, we present the results of analyses involving a multi-dimensional scale for spiritual health that was adapted for use within adolescent populations.

Special Issue “International Conference of Spirituality in Healthcare. Sowing the Seeds”—Trinity College Dublin 2015

This is an editorial of a Special Issue concerning the International Conference of Spirituality in Healthcare held in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Republic of Ireland (ROI), in June 2015 [1].[...]

Toward a Holistic Approach to Spiritual Health Care for People With Schizophrenia

Medical and behavioral treatments are the predominant types of rehabilitation services for people with schizophrenia. Spirituality in people with schizophrenia remains poorly conceptualized, thereby limiting knowledge advancement in the area of spiritual health care services. To provide a framework for better clinical and research practices, we advocate a holistic approach to investigating spirituality and its application in spiritual health care services of people with schizophrenia.

If ‘Spiritual But Not Religious’ People Are Not Religious What Difference Do They Make?

Modernity's project of secularisation may be challenged by the resurgence of religion in the public sphere (indicated most dramatically by religiously motivated conflicts but also in more everyday contexts). The rising profile of spirituality in healthcare and business training programmes may offer other challenges. Classically, spirituality has been differentiated from religion along seemingly Cartesian lines: the former being the fully interiorised and privatised form of putatively communal and institutionalised religion. This paper questions whether this division works. Taking a relational or personalist approach to the topic, it considers what interactions and commitments are helpfully labelled and theorised as spirituality. It seeks to make sense of the difference the ‘spiritual but not religious’ (SBNR) phenomenon makes to scholarly debates about ways of re-assembling human and larger-than-human acts in the everyday world. The paper is based on a keynote presentation given at the Annual Conference of the British Association for the Study of Spirituality in May 2016 which addressed the question ‘Can spirituality transform our world?’.

Evaluation of the perception of Iranian nurses towards spirituality in NICUs

Holistic care is the evaluation of the physical and mental states of individuals. Considering the importance of spirituality in healthcare and its pivotal role as the first step toward providing spiritual care, this study was conducted to determine the perception of Iranian nurses towards spirituality in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Methods: This study was conducted on nine participants using qualitative content analysis. In addition, purposive sampling was used to select the participants. Study setting was the NICUs at hospitals affiliated to Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran. Data collection was performed through semi-structured interviews with the samples. Results: Three main categories were discussed in this study, as follows: 1) “Meaning of spirituality” with three subcategories of “connectedness to God”, “sincerity”, and “prayers or recourse to Ahl-al-Bayt”; 2) “nature of spirituality” with three subcategories of “peace of mind”, “nursing performance beyond physical health care”, and “problem-solving”; 3) “respect for spiritual beliefs” with two subcategories of “respect for beliefs and values” and “persistent faith”. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the perception of Iranian nurses toward spirituality is directly influenced by their religious tendencies, which denotes the importance of educational courses on spirituality for nurses. Therefore, it is recommended that nursing managers and directors implement training programs for the personnel in order to enhance spirituality.

Workplace spirituality in health care: an integrated review of the literature.

The aim is to describe workplace spirituality as a concept and phenomenon in health care and to explore the points of view from which it has been studied in nursing. Personnel in nursing are ageing and recruitment is challenging; workplace spirituality might benefit both employees and organisations. Workplace spirituality has three levels - individual, group and organisational - and presents different components at each level. An integrated literature search identified 632 studies; after screening for relevance and quality, we identified eight peer-reviewed articles. The data were analysed with qualitative content analysis. Workplace spirituality in nursing is mostly defined and researched from the individual viewpoint. The definition includes dimensions of inner life, meaningful work, interconnectedness, transcendence and alignment between values. A sense of community and meaningful work are the most important dimensions of workplace spirituality in health care. Group and organisational levels of workplace spirituality are the most important and still the least studied. Research is concentrated in Canada and Asia; more research in Europe is needed. Nurse managers can enhance workplace spirituality by contributing to organisational culture and emphasising teamwork. This requires more education and training in workplace spirituality.

History, Culture and Traditions: The Silent Spaces in the Study of Spirituality at the End of Life

Recent increase in the number of studies on spirituality manifests growing recognition of the importance of spirituality, as well as mounting interest in studying spirituality in healthcare. Most studies on spirituality in end of life care focus on identifying specific features of spirituality and often represent an individualistic understanding of spirituality. They seldom engage in a historical–cultural exploration of the contextual meanings of those features of spirituality. This paper aims to demonstrate the absence of contextual factors in studying spirituality at the end of life and to highlight the growing recognition of the importance of history, culture and traditions as resources to enrich our understanding of spirituality. An exploration of the concept of spirituality, an overview of the trajectory of the study of spirituality and a review of existing methodological stances reveal the silent space in current approaches to understanding spirituality at the end of life. Recognition of the importance of these contextual factors in understanding spirituality is growing, which is yet to influence the conceptualization and the conduct of spirituality research. Contextual understandings of spirituality that incorporate insights from the history, culture and traditions of specific contexts can inform effective means for providing spiritual support in clinical practice.