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Identification of Concepts of Spiritual Care in Iranian Peoples with Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative Study

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Abstract

Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) often needs attention combined with receiving the holistic care. Attention to spiritual care dimension is one of the most important aspects of care for these patients. This study aims at exploring and explaining dimensions of spiritual care for MS patients in care system of Iran. This study is conducted to explore the concept of spiritual care in care system of Iran during 2015–2016. Purposive sampling is done on 25 participants through unstructured interviews and observation of obtained data through conventional content analysis approach. Four themes of participants’ experiences in spiritual care include restoration of identity essence and nature; disease as a factor for nearness to God; giving meaning to life; and disease as a facilitator for self-purification. Clear understanding of spiritual care dimensions and promoting knowledge in MS nurses as the caregivers play important roles in achieving the goals of health among patients in different cultures and religions. Given the results of this study, the themes such as the restoration of identity essence and nature, the disease as a factor for nearness to God, giving meaning to life and the disease as a facilitator for self-purification play important roles in explaining the concept of spiritual care in patients with MS. Therefore, the MS nurses and other health professionals need to effectively and successfully integrate the concept of spiritual care with their professional performance by deep understanding of this concept and try to provide holistic care to respond to MS patients’ intertwined needs.

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Acknowledgements

This article, which is derived from a research project, is approved at Shahr-e Kord University of Medical Sciences with Code of 2056. The researchers appreciate the financial support by university deputy of research and sincere cooperation by staff in Neurology unit of Ayatollah Kashani hospital, Shahr-e Kord Multiple Sclerosis Society, patients and their families.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Community-Oriented Nursing Midwifery Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

    Mohammad Reza Noormohammadi, Shahram Etemadifar & Reza Masoudi

  2. Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

    Leili Rabiei

  3. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

    Fatemeh Deris

  4. Clinical Research Development Unit, Ayatollah Kashani Hospital, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

    Nahid Jivad

Authors
  1. Mohammad Reza Noormohammadi
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  2. Shahram Etemadifar
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  3. Leili Rabiei
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  4. Fatemeh Deris
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  5. Nahid Jivad
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  6. Reza Masoudi
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Correspondence to Reza Masoudi.

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Noormohammadi, M.R., Etemadifar, S., Rabiei, L. et al. Identification of Concepts of Spiritual Care in Iranian Peoples with Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative Study. J Relig Health 58, 949–964 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0549-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0549-z

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