Spiritual Care Expectations Among Cancer and Noncancer Patients With Life-Threatening Illnesses.

Abstract

Background: Spirituality is a core element in holistic nursing care. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the spiritual care expectations of cancer and noncancer patients with life-threatening illnesses.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the spiritual care expectations of vulnerable patients with life-threatening illnesses.

Interventions/methods: This study uses both quantitative and qualitative approaches, and data were collected from 232 patients. For quantitative data, we used the Nurse Spiritual Therapeutics Scale (NSTS), which comprises 20 items. Qualitative data were collected using an open-ended question. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t tests, 1-way analysis of variance, and item and factor analysis. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis.

Results: The mean score of spiritual care expectations ranged from 2.27 to 3.07. There was a significant difference in NSTS mean score between cancer and noncancer patients. In exploratory factor analysis, NSTS was extracted into 3 factors and items belonging to the 3 factors showed similarity between cancer and noncancer patients. Qualitative data using content analysis revealed the following 3 themes: "treat with respect," "religious support," and "comfort with presence." The 3 factors corresponded with 3 themes: factor I versus "treat with respect," factor II versus "religious ritual," and factor III versus "comfort with presence."

Conclusions: Spiritual care expectations of cancer and non-cancer patients with life-threatening illnesses were identified and the findings provide valuable data regarding the expectations of patients' spiritual care.

Implications for practice: Our findings emphasize integrating patient-reported outcomes with spiritual care to stimulate patient-centered care, thus promoting holistic palliative or end-of-life care.