Richard Egan1, Rod MacLeod2, Chrystal Jaye3, Rob McGee4, Joanne Baxter5, Peter Herbison6. 1. Cancer Society Social & Behavioural Research Unit, Te Hunga Rangahau Arai Mate Pukupuku, Department of Preventive & Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand. 2. HammondCare and Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 3. Department of General Practice and Rural Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. 4. Department of Preventive & Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. 5. Health Sciences Division, Māori Health Workforce Development Unit, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. 6. Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Spiritual matters naturally arise in many people who have either a serious illness or are nearing end-of-life. The literature shows many examples of spiritual assessments, interventions and care; however, there is a lack of focus on organisational support for spiritual care. We aimed to ascertain the structural and operational capacity of New Zealand's hospices to attend to the spiritual needs and concerns of patients, families and staff. METHODS: As part of a larger study, a mail out cross-sectional survey was distributed to 25 New Zealand hospices and asked details from staff about facilities, practices and organisational aspects of spiritual care. Data were collated by creating a 'hospice setting spiritual score' based on an aggregate of eight items from the survey. RESULTS: There was a 66% response rate. Summary scores ranged from 2 to 7 indicating that while sites delivered a range of spiritual services, all could improve the level of spiritual care they provide. The two most common items missing were 'spiritual professional development' and 'formal spiritual assessment.' CONCLUSIONS: This simple setting spiritual score provides a snapshot of a hospice's commitment to spiritual care. It could be used as a preliminary auditing tool to assist hospices in identifying organisational and operational aspects that could be improved to enhance spiritual care delivery. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
OBJECTIVES: Spiritual matters naturally arise in many people who have either a serious illness or are nearing end-of-life. The literature shows many examples of spiritual assessments, interventions and care; however, there is a lack of focus on organisational support for spiritual care. We aimed to ascertain the structural and operational capacity of New Zealand's hospices to attend to the spiritual needs and concerns of patients, families and staff. METHODS: As part of a larger study, a mail out cross-sectional survey was distributed to 25 New Zealand hospices and asked details from staff about facilities, practices and organisational aspects of spiritual care. Data were collated by creating a 'hospice setting spiritual score' based on an aggregate of eight items from the survey. RESULTS: There was a 66% response rate. Summary scores ranged from 2 to 7 indicating that while sites delivered a range of spiritual services, all could improve the level of spiritual care they provide. The two most common items missing were 'spiritual professional development' and 'formal spiritual assessment.' CONCLUSIONS: This simple setting spiritual score provides a snapshot of a hospice's commitment to spiritual care. It could be used as a preliminary auditing tool to assist hospices in identifying organisational and operational aspects that could be improved to enhance spiritual care delivery. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
Authors: Lucy Ellen Selman; Lisa Jane Brighton; Shane Sinclair; Ikali Karvinen; Richard Egan; Peter Speck; Richard A Powell; Ewa Deskur-Smielecka; Myra Glajchen; Shelly Adler; Christina Puchalski; Joy Hunter; Nancy Gikaara; Jonathon Hope Journal: Palliat Med Date: 2017-10-12 Impact factor: 4.762