Please be aware - this information is for healthcare professionals. We also have information for the public. Show
You can use our My Learning form to reflect on how this page has helped with your continuing professional development. Spiritual care is an important part of palliative care. Having a terminal illness often leads people to think about their lives in new ways, and their spiritual needs may change. All health and social care professionals can help explore the patient's spiritual needs, and identify when someone might need more support. What is spirituality?Spirituality means different things to different people. For example, it can be about searching for meaning and purpose in life. Or it can mean finding the best relationship with ourselves, others, society or nature. For some people spirituality might involve religion, but it's not the same as religious beliefs. Spiritual issues can affect everyone – people do not need to be religious to have spiritual needs. Spiritual needsSpiritual needs are different for everyone and can change over time. These can include the need:
Spiritual needs are often met as people find ways to express themselves. They may also find ways to express their feelings towards others, their place in the world or towards a religious figure. Meeting spiritual needsPeople do different things to meet their spiritual needs, depending on what's important to them. This can change over time, and might include:
Spiritual needs in terminal illnessPalliative care means caring for the whole person, including caring for their spiritual needs. Someone's spiritual needs may change when they're diagnosed with a terminal illness:
Spiritual needs are connected to physical, social and emotional needs. Spiritual distressSpiritual wellbeing is often described as feeling at peace, while spiritual distress is seen as a state of suffering. This could be due to unresolved needs and questions, or the inability to find meaning and purpose. If someone's spiritual needs are not met, this can cause spiritual distress. Spiritual distress can affect someone's physical and mental health. Some studies suggest that spiritual distress can increase suffering at the end of life. Someone might be in spiritual distress if they are:
Causes of spiritual distressThere are different things that can cause spiritual distress in people with a terminal illness:
Those close to the patient might experience spiritual distress too. Assessing someone's spiritual needsSpiritual assessment toolsAssessment tools can help start the conversation around a patient's spiritual needs. One of these is the HOPE tool, which covers some basic topics to focus on. There are some example questions for each topic below: H: Hope
O: Organised religion
P: Personal spirituality and practices
E: Effects on medical care and end of life issues
There are other assessment tools available, including FICA (faith, importance, community, address). Download PDFs of the HOPE and FICA assessments. Other ways to assess spiritual needsMany patients might not understand what spirituality is or what it means to them. Spiritual assessment can be carried out in other ways too:
Providing spiritual care to patientsAll health and social care professionals can provide spiritual care. The following things can help you provide good spiritual care to patients: Talking about spiritual needs and concerns
Helping patients meet their spiritual needs
Be aware that some patients might have all their spiritual needs met by carrying out their own spiritual practice. Ask a specialist like a chaplain or spiritual care coordinator for help, if you're uncomfortable having these conversations. Share Marie Curie's information for patients, family and friends on emotional and spiritual pain. Read more about good communication at the end of life. Support from professionalsThe patient might benefit from speaking to a professional about their spiritual needs and concerns. Ask them if they'd like other support. They could speak to:
The local hospital, hospice or palliative care team may have a chaplaincy or spiritual care service. Patients do not need to be religious to have this support. Providing spiritual care to those around the patientThose close to the patient may also experience spiritual distress or have new and unmet spiritual needs. Carers can become isolated due to the amount of time they spend with the patient. They may be at increased risk of depression, anxiety and stress. Many of the ways to provide spiritual care to patients can also be used to help those around them. But there are some other ways you can provide support:
Read more about talking to family and friends. Taking care of yourselfCaring for people with a terminal illness can be challenging. It might prompt you to ask questions about your own beliefs, and look for meaning and purpose in your life. Take time to look after your own spiritual wellbeing. This could involve:
If you're struggling, you could speak to your manager, a chaplain, counsellor, psychologist or faith leader. Find out if Clinical Supervision is available to you – this can be a useful way to explore your spiritual and general wellbeing. Useful resourcesThe Department of Health and Social Care ‒ Spiritual care at the end of life: a systematic literature review Association of Hospital and Palliative Care Chaplains E-learning course (e-ELCA 08): Spiritual care Opening the Spiritual Gate – online learning for healthcare professionals Queen's University – FICA and HOPE spiritual assessment tools PDF What should the nurse include when assessing a patient's spirituality?When assessing a patient's spirituality, the nurse should inquire about the patient's feelings and views on life, the level of connectedness with the self and others, and the practice of religion.
How do you offer spiritual support to patients?As you interact, imagine what it's like to be in their shoes and ask God for wisdom to support them in the way they need.. Take Your Cues from the Patient. ... . Demonstrate a Christ-like Attitude. ... . Support Patients Within Their Own Faith Tradition. ... . Share an Encouraging Thought or Word. ... . Join a Team that Supports Spiritual Care.. How can nurses provide spiritual support?e.g. items I believe nurses can provide spiritual care by arranging a visit by the hospital Chaplain or the patient's own religious leader if requested” I believe nurses can provide spiritual care by showing kindness, concern and cheerfulness when giving care”.
How does the nurse provide for the client's spiritual needs?The nurse provides spiritual care by supporting the client's practice of spirituality such as prayer or meditation.
|