Screening for spiritual distress in the oncology inpatient: a quality improvement pilot project between nurses and chaplains

Judith H. Blanchard · Douglas A. Dunlap · George A. Fitchett

23 citations0/0 files storedJournal of Nursing Management

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Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology Palliative and Oncologic Care Workplace Spirituality and Leadership

Abstract

AIMS: A quality improvement initiative of nursing/chaplain collaboration on the early identification and referral of oncology patients at risk of spiritual distress. BACKGROUND: Research shows that spiritual distress may compromise patient health outcomes. These patients are often under-identified, and chaplaincy staffing is not sufficient to assess every patient. The current nursing admission form with a question of 'Any spiritual practices that may affect your care?' is ineffective in screening for spiritual distress. METHOD(S): Ten nurses on the oncology unit were recruited and trained in a two-question screening tool to be utilized upon admission. RESULTS: Six nurses made referrals; a total of 14 patients. Four (28%) were at risk of spiritual distress and were assessed by the chaplains. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses are interested in the spiritual well-being of their patients and observe spiritual distress. They appreciate terminology/procedures by which they can assess more productively the spiritual needs of their patients and make appropriate chaplain referrals. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The use of a brief spiritual screening protocol can improve nursing referrals to chaplains. The better utilization of chaplains that this enables can improve patient trust and satisfaction with their overall care and potentially reduce the harmful effects of spiritual distress.

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References

1998Patterns of Positive and Negative Religious Coping with Major Life Stressors 2009Improving the Quality of Spiritual Care as a Dimension of Palliative Care: The Report of the Consensus Conference 2003Religiousness and depression: Evidence for a main effect and the moderating influence of stressful life events.2003Religion and spirituality: Linkages to physical health.2012Handbook of religion and health 2004Religious Coping Methods as Predictors of Psychological, Physical and Spiritual Outcomes among Medically Ill Elderly Patients: A Two-year Longitudinal Study 1999A case for including spirituality in quality of life measurement in oncology 2001Religious Struggle as a Predictor of Mortality Among Medically Ill Elderly Patients

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