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Spiritual support of cancer patients and the role of the doctor

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Abstract

Purpose

Spiritual care is reported as important for cancer patients, but the role of the doctor in its provision is unclear. We undertook to understand the nature of spiritual support for Australian cancer patients and their preferences regarding spiritual care from doctors.

Methods

Using grounded theory, semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 cancer patients with advanced disease in a variety of care settings. Patients were asked about the source of their spiritual support and how they would like their doctors to engage with them on spiritual issues.

Results

Three themes were identified as follows: (1) sources of spiritual support which helped patients cope with illness and meet spiritual needs, (2) facilitators of spiritual support, and (3) role of the doctor in spiritual support.

Regardless of religious background, the majority of patients wanted their doctor to ask about their source of spiritual support and facilitate access to it. Patients did not want spiritual guidance from their doctors, but wanted to be treated holistically and to have a good relationship, which allowed them to discuss their fears. Doctors’ understanding of the spiritual dimension of the patient was part of this.

Conclusions

Spirituality is a universal phenomenon. Patients in a secular society want their doctor to take an interest in their spiritual support and facilitate access to it during illness.

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Conflict of interest

The authors indicated no potential conflicts of interest. They have full control of all primary data and give permission to the Journal of Supportive Care in Cancer to review the data on request.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. PoCoG, The University of Sydney, Level 6, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse (C39Z), Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

    Megan Best & Phyllis Butow

  2. Cancer Council Australia, Sydney, NSW, 2001, Australia

    Ian Olver

  3. Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, NSW, 2065, Australia

    Megan Best

Authors
  1. Megan Best
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  2. Phyllis Butow
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  3. Ian Olver
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Megan Best.

Appendix

Appendix

Interview schedule

  1. 1.

    Tell me what gives your life meaning and peace.

  2. 2.

    How does your sense of meaning and peace influence how you understand your illness?

  3. 3.

    Would you like to discuss these issues with someone?

  4. 4.

    What would make them harder/easier to discuss?

  5. 5.

    Is there anything else we can do to help you to achieve meaning and peace?

  6. 6.

    What are your main fears or concerns about the future?

  7. 7.

    Rituals and customs can help people who are ill or suffering. How can hospitals offer opportunities to continue them during their stay?

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Best, M., Butow, P. & Olver, I. Spiritual support of cancer patients and the role of the doctor. Support Care Cancer 22, 1333–1339 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-013-2091-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-013-2091-1

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