1
|
O'Callaghan C, Brooker J, de Silva W, Glenister D, Melia Cert A, Symons X, Kissane D, Michael N. Patients' and Caregivers' Contested Perspectives on Spiritual Care for Those Affected by Advanced Illnesses: A Qualitative Descriptive Study. J Pain Symptom Manage 2019; 58:977-988. [PMID: 31404641 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Spiritual care refers to practices and rituals addressing spiritual/religious concerns. It supports coping with loss and finding hope, meaning, and peace. Although integral to palliative care, its implementation is challenging. OBJECTIVE To understand an Australian cohort of patients' and caregivers' perspectives about experiencing and optimizing spiritual care in the context of advanced illness. METHODS Patients and caregivers of patients with ≤12 month prognosis were recruited from a broader spiritual study via criterion sampling and agreed to opt-in interviews. Participants from an Australian, metropolitan health service received a spiritual care definition and were interviewed. Transcripts were analyzed using qualitative description. RESULTS 30 patients (17 male; mean age 70 years) and 10 caregivers (six male; mean age 58.9 years) participated. 27 identified as Christian, and 10 had no religion. Participants described multifaceted and contested beliefs about spirituality. Many queried the tangibility of spirituality, but all valued respectful staff who affirmed personhood, that is, each individual's worth, especially when care exceeded expectations. They also resonated with positive organizational and environmental tones that improved holistic well-being. Participants stressed the importance of the hospital's welcoming context and skilled care, which comforted and reassured. CONCLUSION Although many patients and caregivers did not resonate with the term "spiritual care," all described how the hospital's hospitality could affirm their values and strengthen coping. The phrase "spiritual care and hospitality" may optimally articulate and guide care in similar, pluralist inpatient palliative care contexts, recognizing that such care encompasses an interplay of generalist and specialist pastoral care staff and organizational and environmental qualities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clare O'Callaghan
- Palliative and Supportive Care Research Department, Cabrini Health, Malvern, Victoria, Australia; Institute for Ethics & Society, The University of Notre Dame Australia, New South Wales, Australia; Departments of Psychosocial Cancer Care and Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital Fitzroy, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Joanne Brooker
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - William de Silva
- Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Glenister
- Centre for Clinical Pastoral Education, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Adelaide Melia Cert
- Palliative and Supportive Care Research Department, Cabrini Health, Malvern, Victoria, Australia
| | - Xavier Symons
- Institute for Ethics & Society, The University of Notre Dame Australia, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Kissane
- Palliative and Supportive Care Research Department, Cabrini Health, Malvern, Victoria, Australia; Szalmuk Family Psycho-oncology Research Unit, Cabrini Health, Malvern, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; School of Medicine, The University of Notre Dame Australia, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Natasha Michael
- Palliative and Supportive Care Research Department, Cabrini Health, Malvern, Victoria, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; School of Medicine, The University of Notre Dame Australia, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW There is increasing emphasis on medical care of the whole patient. This holistic approach encompasses supporting the spiritual or religious needs of the patient. Particularly at the end of life, spiritual concerns may come to the fore as patients recognize and accept their impending death. Physicians may also recognize this spiritual distress but may not be clear on how to provide spiritual support. RECENT FINDINGS Tools to screen for spiritual concerns are available for physicians to use. Some physicians wish to go further, supporting patients at the end of life in their spiritual quest. Other physicians express concern about causing more distress to patients in a time of significant need. Descriptions of educational tools, as well as the difference between spiritual generalists and spiritual specialists have emerged. Integration of chaplains into the medical team caring for patients at the end of life will also enhance care of the whole patient. SUMMARY The increasing emphasis on whole patient care is leading to increasing focus on spiritual concerns of patients. Although not every patient has an interest in spiritual conversation, most do and medical teams will need to become more educated about appropriate spiritual engagement.
Collapse
|
3
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND Discussion of religion and/or spirituality in the medical consultation is desired by patients and known to be beneficial. However, it is infrequent. We aimed to identify why this is so. AIM We set out to answer the following research questions: Do doctors report that they ask their patients about religion and/or spirituality and how do they do it? According to doctors, how often do patients raise the issue of religion and/or spirituality in consultation and how do doctors respond when they do? What are the known facilitators and barriers to doctors asking their patients about religion and/or spirituality? DESIGN A mixed qualitative/quantitative review was conducted to identify studies exploring the physician's perspective on discussion of religion and/or spirituality in the medical consultation. DATA SOURCES We searched nine databases from inception to January 2015 for original research papers reporting doctors' views on discussion of religion and/or spirituality in medical consultations. Papers were assessed for quality using QualSyst and results were reported using a measurement tool to assess systematic review guidelines. RESULTS Overall, 61 eligible papers were identified, comprising over 20,044 physician reports. Religion and spirituality are discussed infrequently by physicians although frequency increases with terminal illness. Many physicians prefer chaplain referral to discussing religion and/or spirituality with patients themselves. Such discussions are facilitated by prior training and increased physician religiosity and spirituality. Insufficient time and training were the most frequently reported barriers. CONCLUSION This review found that physician enquiry into the religion and/or spirituality of patients is inconsistent in frequency and nature and that in order to meet patient needs, barriers to discussion need to be overcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan Best
- The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Ian Olver
- University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Higgins PC, Garrido MM, Prigerson HG. Factors Predicting Bereaved Caregiver Perception of Quality of Care in the Final Week of Life: Implications for Health Care Providers. J Palliat Med 2015; 18:849-57. [PMID: 26186021 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2015.29001.hp] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer caregivers are key stakeholders in the final weeks of life and in bereavement. Research has highlighted end-of-life (EOL) factors important to caregivers, as well as factors contributing to caregiver mental health and bereavement outcomes. There has been limited data on factors predicting caregiver perceptions of quality of EOL care. OBJECTIVE This study's purpose was to identify modifiable predictors of caregivers' Caregiver Evaluation of Quality of End of Life Care (CEQUEL) scores, with the broader aim of informing clinical interventions to improve caregiver impressions of care and subsequent bereavement adjustment. METHODS Study data came from Coping with Cancer I (CwC1). CwC1 investigators interviewed advanced cancer patients and caregivers prior to the patient's death (Wave 1) and reinterviewed caregivers following the death (Wave 2) (N=275 dyads). The authors identified potential Wave 1 predictors of CEQUEL scores and performed a series of linear regression analyses to identify a parsimonious predictive model using corrected Akaike's Information Criterion (AICc) values. RESULTS In adjusted analyses, caregivers rated quality of care as poorer when patients died in a hospital (B=-1.40, SE=0.40, p=0.001) (B, unstandardized regression coefficient; SE, standard error) or had less than one week of inpatient hospice care (B=-1.98, SE=-0.70, p=0.006). Whole-person physician care and caregiver religiosity were associated with perceived higher quality of care in unadjusted, but not adjusted, analyses. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that place of death and hospice length of stay best predict bereaved caregiver evaluations of quality of EOL care. These findings equip health care providers with modifiable targets to improve caregivers' experience of EOL care and subsequent bereavement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philip C Higgins
- 1 Brigham & Women's Hospital and the Dana-Farber/Brigham & Women's Cancer Center , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Melissa M Garrido
- 2 James J Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Bronx, New York.,3 Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York, New York
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- 4 Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medical College , New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|