Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Supportive Care in Cancer 5/2014

01.05.2014 | Original Article

Spiritual support of cancer patients and the role of the doctor

verfasst von: Megan Best, Phyllis Butow, Ian Olver

Erschienen in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Ausgabe 5/2014

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Abstract

Purpose

Spiritual care is reported as important for cancer patients, but the role of the doctor in its provision is unclear. We undertook to understand the nature of spiritual support for Australian cancer patients and their preferences regarding spiritual care from doctors.

Methods

Using grounded theory, semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 cancer patients with advanced disease in a variety of care settings. Patients were asked about the source of their spiritual support and how they would like their doctors to engage with them on spiritual issues.

Results

Three themes were identified as follows: (1) sources of spiritual support which helped patients cope with illness and meet spiritual needs, (2) facilitators of spiritual support, and (3) role of the doctor in spiritual support.
Regardless of religious background, the majority of patients wanted their doctor to ask about their source of spiritual support and facilitate access to it. Patients did not want spiritual guidance from their doctors, but wanted to be treated holistically and to have a good relationship, which allowed them to discuss their fears. Doctors’ understanding of the spiritual dimension of the patient was part of this.

Conclusions

Spirituality is a universal phenomenon. Patients in a secular society want their doctor to take an interest in their spiritual support and facilitate access to it during illness.
Anhänge
Nur mit Berechtigung zugänglich
Literatur
1.
Zurück zum Zitat Astrow AB, Wexler A, Texeira K et al (2007) Is failure to meet spiritual needs associated with cancer patients’ perceptions of quality of care and their satisfaction with care? J Clin Oncol 25:5753–5757PubMedCrossRef Astrow AB, Wexler A, Texeira K et al (2007) Is failure to meet spiritual needs associated with cancer patients’ perceptions of quality of care and their satisfaction with care? J Clin Oncol 25:5753–5757PubMedCrossRef
2.
Zurück zum Zitat Balboni TA, Vanderwerker LC, Block SD et al (2007) Religiousness and spiritual support among advanced cancer patients and associations with end-of-life treatment preferences and quality of life. J Clin Oncol 25:555–560PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Balboni TA, Vanderwerker LC, Block SD et al (2007) Religiousness and spiritual support among advanced cancer patients and associations with end-of-life treatment preferences and quality of life. J Clin Oncol 25:555–560PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
3.
Zurück zum Zitat Cassell EJ (1991) The nature of suffering and the goals of medicine. Oxford University, New York Cassell EJ (1991) The nature of suffering and the goals of medicine. Oxford University, New York
4.
Zurück zum Zitat Charmaz K (2006) Constructing grounded theory: a practical guide through qualitative analysis. Sage Publications Limited, London Charmaz K (2006) Constructing grounded theory: a practical guide through qualitative analysis. Sage Publications Limited, London
5.
Zurück zum Zitat Cobb M (2012) Transdisciplinary approaches to spiritual care: a chaplain’s perspective. Prog Palliat Care 20:94–97CrossRef Cobb M (2012) Transdisciplinary approaches to spiritual care: a chaplain’s perspective. Prog Palliat Care 20:94–97CrossRef
6.
Zurück zum Zitat Curlin FA, Chin MH, Sellergren SA et al (2006) The association of physicians’ religious characteristics with their attitudes and self-reported behaviors regarding religion and spirituality in the clinical encounter. Med Care 44:446–453PubMedCrossRef Curlin FA, Chin MH, Sellergren SA et al (2006) The association of physicians’ religious characteristics with their attitudes and self-reported behaviors regarding religion and spirituality in the clinical encounter. Med Care 44:446–453PubMedCrossRef
7.
Zurück zum Zitat Daaleman TP, Nease DE Jr (1994) Patient attitudes regarding physician inquiry into spiritual and religious issues. J Fam Pract 39:564–568PubMed Daaleman TP, Nease DE Jr (1994) Patient attitudes regarding physician inquiry into spiritual and religious issues. J Fam Pract 39:564–568PubMed
8.
Zurück zum Zitat Efficace F, Marrone R (2002) Spiritual issues and quality of life assessment in cancer care. Death Stud 26:743–756PubMedCrossRef Efficace F, Marrone R (2002) Spiritual issues and quality of life assessment in cancer care. Death Stud 26:743–756PubMedCrossRef
9.
Zurück zum Zitat Ehman JW, Ott BB, Short TH et al (1999) Do patients want physicians to inquire about their spiritual or religious beliefs if they become gravely ill? Arch Intern Med 159:1803–1806PubMedCrossRef Ehman JW, Ott BB, Short TH et al (1999) Do patients want physicians to inquire about their spiritual or religious beliefs if they become gravely ill? Arch Intern Med 159:1803–1806PubMedCrossRef
10.
Zurück zum Zitat Ellis MR, Campbell JD (2004) Patients’ views about discussing spiritual issues with primary care physicians. South Med J 97:1158–1164PubMedCrossRef Ellis MR, Campbell JD (2004) Patients’ views about discussing spiritual issues with primary care physicians. South Med J 97:1158–1164PubMedCrossRef
11.
Zurück zum Zitat Engel GL (1977) The need for a new medical model: a challenge for biomedicine. Sci 196:129–136CrossRef Engel GL (1977) The need for a new medical model: a challenge for biomedicine. Sci 196:129–136CrossRef
12.
Zurück zum Zitat Ford D, Downey L, Engelberg R et al (2012) Discussing religion and spirituality is an advanced communication skill: an exploratory structural equation model of physician trainee self-ratings. J Palliat Med 15:63–70PubMedCrossRef Ford D, Downey L, Engelberg R et al (2012) Discussing religion and spirituality is an advanced communication skill: an exploratory structural equation model of physician trainee self-ratings. J Palliat Med 15:63–70PubMedCrossRef
13.
Zurück zum Zitat Hart A Jr, Kohlwes R, Deyo R et al (2003) Hospice patients’ attitudes regarding spiritual discussions with their doctors. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 20:135–139PubMedCrossRef Hart A Jr, Kohlwes R, Deyo R et al (2003) Hospice patients’ attitudes regarding spiritual discussions with their doctors. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 20:135–139PubMedCrossRef
14.
Zurück zum Zitat Hebert RS, Jenckes MW, Ford DE et al (2001) Patient perspectives on spirituality and the patient-physician relationship. J Gen Intern Med 16:685–692PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Hebert RS, Jenckes MW, Ford DE et al (2001) Patient perspectives on spirituality and the patient-physician relationship. J Gen Intern Med 16:685–692PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
15.
Zurück zum Zitat Hilbers J, Haynes AS, Kivikko JG (2010) Spirituality and health: an exploratory study of hospital patients’ perspectives. Aust Health Rev 34:3–10PubMedCrossRef Hilbers J, Haynes AS, Kivikko JG (2010) Spirituality and health: an exploratory study of hospital patients’ perspectives. Aust Health Rev 34:3–10PubMedCrossRef
16.
Zurück zum Zitat Kellehear A (2000) Spirituality and palliative care: a model of needs. Palliat Med 14:149–155PubMedCrossRef Kellehear A (2000) Spirituality and palliative care: a model of needs. Palliat Med 14:149–155PubMedCrossRef
18.
Zurück zum Zitat Mansfield CJ, Mitchell J, King DE (2002) The doctor as God’s mechanic? Beliefs in the Southeastern United States. Soc Sci Med 54:399–409PubMedCrossRef Mansfield CJ, Mitchell J, King DE (2002) The doctor as God’s mechanic? Beliefs in the Southeastern United States. Soc Sci Med 54:399–409PubMedCrossRef
19.
Zurück zum Zitat McClain CS, Rosenfeld B, Breitbart W (2003) Effect of spiritual well-being on end-of-life despair in terminally-ill cancer patients. Lancet 361:1603–1607PubMedCrossRef McClain CS, Rosenfeld B, Breitbart W (2003) Effect of spiritual well-being on end-of-life despair in terminally-ill cancer patients. Lancet 361:1603–1607PubMedCrossRef
20.
21.
Zurück zum Zitat McCoubrie R, Davies A (2006) Is there a correlation between spirituality and anxiety and depression in patients with advanced cancer? Support Care Cancer 14:379–385PubMedCrossRef McCoubrie R, Davies A (2006) Is there a correlation between spirituality and anxiety and depression in patients with advanced cancer? Support Care Cancer 14:379–385PubMedCrossRef
22.
23.
Zurück zum Zitat Mclaughlin SS, Mclaughlin AD, Van Slyke JA (2010) Faith and religious beliefs in an outpatient military population. South Med J 103:527–531PubMedCrossRef Mclaughlin SS, Mclaughlin AD, Van Slyke JA (2010) Faith and religious beliefs in an outpatient military population. South Med J 103:527–531PubMedCrossRef
24.
Zurück zum Zitat Moadel A, Morgan C, Fatone A et al (1999) Seeking meaning and hope: self-reported spiritual and existential needs among an ethnically-diverse cancer patient population. Psychooncol 8:378–385 Moadel A, Morgan C, Fatone A et al (1999) Seeking meaning and hope: self-reported spiritual and existential needs among an ethnically-diverse cancer patient population. Psychooncol 8:378–385
25.
Zurück zum Zitat Murray SA, Kendall M, Boyd K et al (2004) Exploring the spiritual needs of people dying of lung cancer or heart failure: a prospective qualitative interview study of patients and their carers. Palliat Med 18:39–45PubMedCrossRef Murray SA, Kendall M, Boyd K et al (2004) Exploring the spiritual needs of people dying of lung cancer or heart failure: a prospective qualitative interview study of patients and their carers. Palliat Med 18:39–45PubMedCrossRef
26.
Zurück zum Zitat Nolan S, Saltmarsh P, Leget C (2011) Spiritual care in palliative care: working towards an EAPC task force. Eur J Palliat Care 18:86–89 Nolan S, Saltmarsh P, Leget C (2011) Spiritual care in palliative care: working towards an EAPC task force. Eur J Palliat Care 18:86–89
27.
Zurück zum Zitat Padela AI, Killawi A, Forman J et al (2012) American Muslim perceptions of healing: key agents in healing, and their roles. Qual Health Res 22:846–858PubMedCrossRef Padela AI, Killawi A, Forman J et al (2012) American Muslim perceptions of healing: key agents in healing, and their roles. Qual Health Res 22:846–858PubMedCrossRef
28.
Zurück zum Zitat Pargament KI, Koenig HG, Perez LM (2000) The many methods of religious coping: development and initial validation of the RCOPE. J Clin Psychol 56:519–543PubMedCrossRef Pargament KI, Koenig HG, Perez LM (2000) The many methods of religious coping: development and initial validation of the RCOPE. J Clin Psychol 56:519–543PubMedCrossRef
29.
Zurück zum Zitat Pathy R, Mills KE, Gazeley S et al (2011) Health is a spiritual thing: perspectives of health care professionals and female Somali and Bangladeshi women on the health impacts of fasting during Ramadan. Ethn Health 16:43–56PubMedCrossRef Pathy R, Mills KE, Gazeley S et al (2011) Health is a spiritual thing: perspectives of health care professionals and female Somali and Bangladeshi women on the health impacts of fasting during Ramadan. Ethn Health 16:43–56PubMedCrossRef
30.
Zurück zum Zitat Peach HG (2003) Religion, spirituality, and health: how should Australia’s medical professionals respond? Med J Aust 178:86–88PubMed Peach HG (2003) Religion, spirituality, and health: how should Australia’s medical professionals respond? Med J Aust 178:86–88PubMed
31.
Zurück zum Zitat Peterman AH, Min GFD, Brady MJ et al (2002) Measuring spiritual well-being in people with cancer: the functional assessment of chronic illness therapy—spiritual well-being scale (FACIT-Sp). Ann Behav Med 24:49–58PubMedCrossRef Peterman AH, Min GFD, Brady MJ et al (2002) Measuring spiritual well-being in people with cancer: the functional assessment of chronic illness therapy—spiritual well-being scale (FACIT-Sp). Ann Behav Med 24:49–58PubMedCrossRef
32.
Zurück zum Zitat Post SG, Puchalski CM, Larson DB (2000) Physicians and patient spirituality: professional boundaries, competency, and ethics. Ann Intern Med 132:578–583PubMedCrossRef Post SG, Puchalski CM, Larson DB (2000) Physicians and patient spirituality: professional boundaries, competency, and ethics. Ann Intern Med 132:578–583PubMedCrossRef
34.
Zurück zum Zitat Sinclair S, Bouchal SR, Chochinov H et al (2012) Spiritual care: how to do it. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2:319–327PubMedCrossRef Sinclair S, Bouchal SR, Chochinov H et al (2012) Spiritual care: how to do it. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2:319–327PubMedCrossRef
35.
Zurück zum Zitat Sinclair S, Pereira J, Raffin S (2006) A thematic review of the spirituality literature within palliative care. J Palliat Med 9:464–479PubMedCrossRef Sinclair S, Pereira J, Raffin S (2006) A thematic review of the spirituality literature within palliative care. J Palliat Med 9:464–479PubMedCrossRef
36.
Zurück zum Zitat Steinhauser K, Christakis N, Clipp E et al (2000) Factors considered important at the end of life by patients, family, physicians, and other care providers. JAMA 284:2476–2482PubMedCrossRef Steinhauser K, Christakis N, Clipp E et al (2000) Factors considered important at the end of life by patients, family, physicians, and other care providers. JAMA 284:2476–2482PubMedCrossRef
37.
Zurück zum Zitat Steinhauser KE, Christakis NA, Clipp EC et al (2000) Factors considered important at the end of life by patients, family, physicians, and other care providers. JAMA 284:2476–2482PubMedCrossRef Steinhauser KE, Christakis NA, Clipp EC et al (2000) Factors considered important at the end of life by patients, family, physicians, and other care providers. JAMA 284:2476–2482PubMedCrossRef
39.
Zurück zum Zitat Sulmasy DP (2002) A biopsychosocial-spiritual model for the care of patients at the end of life. Gerontol 42:24–33 Sulmasy DP (2002) A biopsychosocial-spiritual model for the care of patients at the end of life. Gerontol 42:24–33
40.
Zurück zum Zitat Torke AM, Garas NS, Sexson W et al (2005) Medical care at the end of life: views of African-American patients in an urban hospital. J Palliat Med 8:593–602PubMedCrossRef Torke AM, Garas NS, Sexson W et al (2005) Medical care at the end of life: views of African-American patients in an urban hospital. J Palliat Med 8:593–602PubMedCrossRef
41.
Zurück zum Zitat Vachon MLS (2008) Meaning, spirituality, and wellness in cancer survivors. Semin Oncol Nurs 24:218–225PubMedCrossRef Vachon MLS (2008) Meaning, spirituality, and wellness in cancer survivors. Semin Oncol Nurs 24:218–225PubMedCrossRef
42.
Zurück zum Zitat Vermandere M, Choi YN, De Brabandere H et al (2012) GPs’ views concerning spirituality and the use of the FICA tool in palliative care in Flanders: a qualitative study. Br J Gen Pract 62:e718–e725PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Vermandere M, Choi YN, De Brabandere H et al (2012) GPs’ views concerning spirituality and the use of the FICA tool in palliative care in Flanders: a qualitative study. Br J Gen Pract 62:e718–e725PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
43.
Zurück zum Zitat Williams JA, Meltzer D, Arora V et al (2011) Attention to inpatients’ religious and spiritual concerns: predictors and association with patient satisfaction. J Gen Int Med 26:1265–1271CrossRef Williams JA, Meltzer D, Arora V et al (2011) Attention to inpatients’ religious and spiritual concerns: predictors and association with patient satisfaction. J Gen Int Med 26:1265–1271CrossRef
44.
Zurück zum Zitat Wortmann J, Park C (2008) Religion and spirituality in adjustment following bereavement: an integrative review. Death Stud 32:703–736PubMedCrossRef Wortmann J, Park C (2008) Religion and spirituality in adjustment following bereavement: an integrative review. Death Stud 32:703–736PubMedCrossRef
Metadaten
Titel
Spiritual support of cancer patients and the role of the doctor
verfasst von
Megan Best
Phyllis Butow
Ian Olver
Publikationsdatum
01.05.2014
Verlag
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Ausgabe 5/2014
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Elektronische ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-013-2091-1

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 5/2014

Supportive Care in Cancer 5/2014 Zur Ausgabe

Positiver FIT: Die Ursache liegt nicht immer im Dickdarm

27.05.2024 Blut im Stuhl Nachrichten

Immunchemischer Stuhltest positiv, Koloskopie negativ – in solchen Fällen kann die Blutungsquelle auch weiter proximal sitzen. Ein Forschungsteam hat nachgesehen, wie häufig und in welchen Lokalisationen das der Fall ist.

Mammakarzinom: Brustdichte beeinflusst rezidivfreies Überleben

26.05.2024 Mammakarzinom Nachrichten

Frauen, die zum Zeitpunkt der Brustkrebsdiagnose eine hohe mammografische Brustdichte aufweisen, haben ein erhöhtes Risiko für ein baldiges Rezidiv, legen neue Daten nahe.

Mehr Lebenszeit mit Abemaciclib bei fortgeschrittenem Brustkrebs?

24.05.2024 Mammakarzinom Nachrichten

In der MONARCHE-3-Studie lebten Frauen mit fortgeschrittenem Hormonrezeptor-positivem, HER2-negativem Brustkrebs länger, wenn sie zusätzlich zu einem nicht steroidalen Aromatasehemmer mit Abemaciclib behandelt wurden; allerdings verfehlte der numerische Zugewinn die statistische Signifikanz.

ADT zur Radiatio nach Prostatektomie: Wenn, dann wohl länger

24.05.2024 Prostatakarzinom Nachrichten

Welchen Nutzen es trägt, wenn die Strahlentherapie nach radikaler Prostatektomie um eine Androgendeprivation ergänzt wird, hat die RADICALS-HD-Studie untersucht. Nun liegen die Ergebnisse vor. Sie sprechen für länger dauernden Hormonentzug.

Update Onkologie

Bestellen Sie unseren Fach-Newsletter und bleiben Sie gut informiert.