Understanding Spiritual Care-Perspectives from Healthcare Professionals in a Norwegian Nursing Home

Bibliographic Data

ID3418255
AuthorsMarianne Morland (0000-0002-1931-2130, VID Specialized University, corresponding author), Wilfred Mcsherry (0000-0003-0932-5875, University of Staffordshire), Linda Rykkje (0000-0001-6449-3615, VID Specialized University)
Year2022
Volume13
Issue3
Pages239
Publication date2022-03-10
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReligions (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel13030239
OpenAlexW4220890059
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited31

Nursing home professionals have reported that spiritual care is an unclear concept, and research suggests that healthcare professionals have a limited understanding of this dimension of care. The provision of spiritual care is well-investigated internationally, but research is sparse within Norway's secularized society. This study investigated healthcare professionals' understanding of spiritual care in one nursing home. Methods: Data were collected from individual interviews (N = 8) and one focus group (N = 5) of nursing home personnel; the study used qualitative content analysis and a hermeneutic methodology. Results: One central question emerged during the data analysis: what is spiritual care versus good care? This starting point resulted in four themes (1) caring for the whole person, (2) having a personal touch, (3) seeing the person behind the diagnosis, and (4) more than religiousness. Some healthcare professionals had not heard of spiritual care, and many were not aware of this in their daily work with older patients. Nevertheless, they facilitated and cared for the patient's spiritual needs, but they did not address it as spiritual care. Other participants were familiar with the concept and understood spiritual care as an essential part of daily care. Conclusion: healthcare professionals' understanding of spiritual care is broad and varied, including practical and non-verbal aspects. The results indicated a need for an open dialogue about spiritual needs and resources in clinical practice and the teaching of personnel about how to facilitate older people's spirituality. Moreover, there is a need for more research into spiritual care and how it differs from the concept of good fundamental care

Alternative medicine · Focus group · Health care · Norwegian · Qualitative research · Sociology · Spiritual care · Spirituality · Thematic analysis · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Medicine · Nursing · Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology

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