M Renz1, M Schuett Mao2, A Omlin3, D Bueche4, T Cerny3, F Strasser5. 1. Psycho-oncology, Oncology, Cantonal Hospital, St Gallen, Switzerland monika.renz@kssg.ch. 2. Psycho-oncology, Oncology, Cantonal Hospital, St Gallen, Switzerland. 3. Oncology, Cantonal Hospital, St Gallen, Switzerland. 4. Palliative Center, Cantonal Hospital, St Gallen, Switzerland. 5. Oncological Palliative Medicine, Cantonal Hospital, St Gallen, Switzerland.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Spirituality encompasses a wide range of meanings between holistic wellbeing and mysticism. We explored advanced cancer patients' spiritual experiences of transcendence. METHODS: A total of 251 patients with advanced cancer were included and observed (participant observation) over 12 months by a psycho-oncologist/music-therapist. She recorded and documented patients' spontaneously expressed spiritual experiences during hospitalisation. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was applied. RESULTS: 135 patients communicated a spiritual experience, as expressed by altered body-awareness, less pain, less anxiety, higher acceptance of illness/death, new spiritual identity. Spiritual experiences were communicated by patients across different religious affiliations/attitudes. We identified types of spiritual experiences. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of spiritual experiences seems to be frequent and associated with profound, powerful reactions. Our results indicate that experienced-based spiritual care may complement current needs-based approaches.
PURPOSE: Spirituality encompasses a wide range of meanings between holistic wellbeing and mysticism. We explored advanced cancerpatients' spiritual experiences of transcendence. METHODS: A total of 251 patients with advanced cancer were included and observed (participant observation) over 12 months by a psycho-oncologist/music-therapist. She recorded and documented patients' spontaneously expressed spiritual experiences during hospitalisation. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was applied. RESULTS: 135 patients communicated a spiritual experience, as expressed by altered body-awareness, less pain, less anxiety, higher acceptance of illness/death, new spiritual identity. Spiritual experiences were communicated by patients across different religious affiliations/attitudes. We identified types of spiritual experiences. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of spiritual experiences seems to be frequent and associated with profound, powerful reactions. Our results indicate that experienced-based spiritual care may complement current needs-based approaches.
Authors: M Renz; O Reichmuth; D Bueche; B Traichel; M Schuett Mao; T Cerny; F Strasser Journal: Am J Hosp Palliat Care Date: 2017-08-21 Impact factor: 2.500
Authors: Christina M Puchalski; Andrea Sbrana; Betty Ferrell; Najmeh Jafari; Stephen King; Tracy Balboni; Guido Miccinesi; Anna Vandenhoeck; Michael Silbermann; Lodovico Balducci; Julianna Yong; Andrea Antonuzzo; Alfredo Falcone; Carla Ida Ripamonti Journal: ESMO Open Date: 2019-02-16