Skip to main content

Reflections: Spirituality and Cancer Researchers

Journal of Cancer Education volume 33, pages 245–247 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Spirituality is increasingly acknowledged as an essential element to consider within care for cancer and other chronic health conditions. As our colleagues in frontline healthcare roles integrate these concepts into their professional practice, it seems timely for the cancer research community to reflect on the place of spirituality within our work. This reflections article discusses challenges and opportunities for researchers considering spirituality in their own work roles and within broader discussions about health needs, care and research agendas.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  1. Puchalski CM, Guenther M (2012) Restoration and re-creation: spirituality in the lives of healthcare professionals. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care 6:254–258

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Puchalski CM (2012) Spirituality in the cancer trajectory. Ann Oncol 23:49–55

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Egan R et al (2011) What is spirituality? Evidence from a New Zealand hospice study. Mortality 16:307–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Egan R et al (2014) Spiritual care and kidney disease in NZ: a qualitative study with New Zealand renal specialists. Nephrology 19:708–713

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Cobb M, Dowrick C, Lloyd-Williams M (2012) Understanding spirituality: a synoptic view. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2:339–343

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Visser A, Garssen B, Vingerhoets A (2010) Spirituality and well‐being in cancer patients: a review. Psychooncology 19:565–572

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Puchalski, C.M., Caregiver stress: the role of spirituality in the lives of family/friends and professional caregivers of cancer patients. In Cancer caregiving in the United States. 2012, Springer. p. 201–228.

  8. Ellor JW, McFadden (2011) Perceptions of the roles of religion and spirituality in the work and lives of professionals in gerontology: views of the prevent and expectations about the future. Journal of Religion, Spirituality and Aging 23:50–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Puchalski CM et al (2014) Spirituality and health: the development of a field. Acad Med 89:10–16

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Gysels M et al (2004) Improving supportive and palliative care for adults with cancer. Research evidence manual. National Institute of Clinical Excellence, London, England

    Google Scholar 

  11. Ministry of Health (2010) Guidance for improving supportive care for adults with cancer in New Zealand. Ministry of Health, Wellington

    Google Scholar 

  12. Lucchetti G, Bassi RM, Lucchetti ALG (2013) Taking spiritual history in clinical practice: a systematic review of instruments. Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing 9:159–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Balboni MJ, Puchalski CM, Peteet JR (2014) The relationship between medicine, spirituality and religion: three models for integration. J Relig Health 53:1586–1598

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Chibnall JT et al (2004) Identifying barriers to psychosocial spiritual care at the end of life: a physician group study. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine 21:419–426

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Faro Albuquerque I et al (2014) Primary health care services: workplace spirituality and organizational performance. J Organ Chang Manag 27:59–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Miller DW, Ewest T (2013) The present state of workplace spirituality: a literature review considering context, theory, and measurement/assessment. Journal of religious & theological information 12:29–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Mann K, Gordon J, MacLeod A (2009) Reflection and reflective practice in health professions education: a systematic review. Adv Health Sci Educ 14:595–621

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Farrell TS (2012) Reflecting on reflective practice:(re) visiting Dewey and Schön. TESOL Journal 3:7–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Aronson L (2011) Twelve tips for teaching reflection at all levels of medical education. Med Teach 33:200–205

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. McCabe JL, Holmes D (2009) Reflexivity, critical qualitative research and emancipation: a Foucauldian perspective. J Adv Nurs 65:1518–1526

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Kennedy VF et al (2015) Wairua and cultural values in evaluation. Evaluation matters - He take to te aromatawai 1:83–111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Durie M (1985) A Maori perspective of health. Soc Sci Med 20:483–486

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Wright BE, Moynihan DP, Pandey SK (2012) Pulling the levers: transformational leadership, public service motivation, and mission valence. Public Adm Rev 72:206–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Abrhiem TH (2012) Ethical leadership: keeping values in business cultures. Business and Management Review 2:11–19

    Google Scholar 

  25. Swinton J, Pattison S (2010) Moving beyond clarity: towards a thin, vague and useful understanding of spirituality in nursing care. Nurs Philos 11:226–237

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The Cancer Society Social and Behavioural Research Unit receives support from the Cancer Society of New Zealand and the University of Otago. The authors would like to acknowledge the many colleagues who have helped us reflect on and connect with the meaning and purpose in our work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer Society Social and Behavioural Research Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand

    Rosalina Richards & Richard Egan

Authors
  1. Rosalina Richards
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Richard Egan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rosalina Richards.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Richards, R., Egan, R. Reflections: Spirituality and Cancer Researchers. J Canc Educ 33, 245–247 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-016-1072-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-016-1072-8

Keywords

  • Cancer Research Community
  • Academic Metrics
  • Healthcare Discussions
  • Inspirational Power
  • Shared Endeavour