Experience of Cancer Patients Receiving Spiritual Nursing Care in one Christian General Hospital

Content Analysis of the Meaning of Spiritual Care as Perceived by Nursing Students

Purpose

This study aimed to describe the meaning of spiritual care as perceived by nursing students.

Methods

This study used a descriptive research design, and the participants were 126 fourth-year nursing students from three nursing colleges. Data were collected from August to September 2019, and were analyzed using the content analysis method.

Results

Four themes of spiritual care with 15 sub-themes were extracted from the content analysis 1) "promoting spiritual well-being" (sub-themes "providing religious help", "caring for the patient as a spiritual being", and "presupposing human dignity regardless of religion"); 2) "taking place in actual nursing practice" (representative sub-themes "considering the perspective of the patient", "reducing suffering"); 3) "caring for the multifaceted needs of human beings" (representative sub-themes "providing physical, mental, and spiritual care", "caring for both the mental and physical health of the patient"), and 4) "growing together" (sub-themes "positively affecting patient well-being", "beginning with the nurse's self-transcendence").

Conclusion

These results suggest that nursing students consider spiritual care to be a highly positive and practical form of nursing care. However, because few students have been exposed to religion and spirituality, more systematic training should be provided.

End-of-Life Issues in the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought the world to a standstill and has exposed the lack of preparedness of most nations' health care systems. Even in usual times, palliative care has not received its fair share of recognition as an important component of patient care; instead, the emphasis is often placed on aggressive patient management. Now, with the entire medical community and decision-making committees focussed on intensive patient care, end-of-life care has taken a backseat.

Methods

This article is a brief communication.

Results

COVID 19 infection has been shown to lead to greater mortality and morbidity in patients with pre-existing illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, renal failure, and cancer. Patients typically in need of end-of-life care, such as those with late-stage cancer or heart failure, are therefore at a higher risk of both contracting COVID-19 and suffering a more severe disease course. The strict nationwide lockdowns being imposed in most countries have deterred patients from seeking medical attention or hospice care. Every day new research is coming to light regarding COVID 19. This has helped significantly in creating awareness and limiting the spread of disease. However, misinformation is also rampant, leading to discrimination and mistreatment of infected patients.

Conclusion

This pandemic has been a terrifying ordeal for all and has exposed our entire population physically, psychologically, emotionally, and financially to unimaginable stresses. In the present scenario, EOL care is as much a necessity as intensive care and should be given at least a fraction of its importance.