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Supportive Care in Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer 10/2012

01-10-2012 | Original Article

Unmet spiritual care needs impact emotional and spiritual well-being in advanced cancer patients

Authors: Michelle J. Pearce, April D. Coan, James E. Herndon II, Harold G. Koenig, Amy P. Abernethy

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 10/2012

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Abstract

Purpose

Spiritual care is an important part of healthcare, especially when facing the crisis of advanced cancer. Do oncology inpatients receive spiritual care consistent with their needs? When inconsistent, are there deleterious effects on patient outcomes?

Methods

Patients with advanced cancer (N = 150) were surveyed during their inpatient stay at a southeastern medical center using validated instruments documenting spirituality, quality of life, mood, and satisfaction with care. Relationships between the receipt of less spiritual care than desired and patient outcomes were examined.

Results

Almost all patients had spiritual needs (91%) and the majority desired and received spiritual care from their healthcare providers (67%; 68%), religious community (78%; 73%), and hospital chaplain (45%; 36%). However, a significant subset received less spiritual care than desired from their healthcare providers (17%), religious community (11%), and chaplain (40%); in absolute terms, the number who received less care than desired from one or more sources was substantial (42 of 150). Attention to spiritual care would improve satisfaction with care while hospitalized for 35% of patients. Patients who received less spiritual care than desired reported more depressive symptoms [adjusted β (SE) = 1.2 (0.47), p = 0.013] and less meaning and peace [adjusted β (SE) = −2.37 (1.15), p = 0.042].

Conclusions

A substantial minority of patients did not receive the spiritual care they desired while hospitalized. When spiritual needs are not met, patients are at risk of depression and reduced sense of spiritual meaning and peace. Spiritual care should be matched to cancer patients’ needs.
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Metadata
Title
Unmet spiritual care needs impact emotional and spiritual well-being in advanced cancer patients
Authors
Michelle J. Pearce
April D. Coan
James E. Herndon II
Harold G. Koenig
Amy P. Abernethy
Publication date
01-10-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 10/2012
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-011-1335-1

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