Abstract
PURPOSE
To explore the concept of spiritual support by nurses and its translation into nursing practice; to determine if patient spirituality is a nursing concern, what is an adequate label for the nursing intervention, what is an adequate definition of the intervention, and which activities belong to the intervention.
METHODS
Thirty-eight panel members participated in a three-round Delphi survey. Most were nursing professionals, others represented related disciplines such as pastoral work and medicine. Starting point of the research was the Dutch translation of the NIC “spiritual support.” Criteria for consensus quantitative and qualitative data analyses were formulated. In all three rounds there was 100% response. In spite of sensitiveness for some aspects of bias, validity and reliability were optimized.
FINDINGS
Patient spirituality was considered a nursing concern. Consensus was reached on the label “attention for spirituality and/or religion” and on the following definition: “to pay attention to what is important to the patient/client concerning spirituality and/or religion and to agree with the patient/client upon the desired support in this area.” Consensus was also reached on 13 activities, for example, to question the patient/client about thoughts and feelings on spiritual and/or religious matters, and to make use of active listening.
DISCUSSION
The findings of the research correspond with the literature. However, for most of the nursing activities of the developed intervention, it is not clear if and how nurses practice them and work together with other disciplines. Further research is recommended.
CONCLUSIONS
The character of the intervention “attention to spirituality and/or religion” developed in this research is generic. Adapting the intervention to patients with specific demands for care or specific views of life is recommended. The intervention can be developed into an instrument to measure the quality of nursing care in spiritual and religious matters. For nursing practice, the intervention can be seen as a specification of nursing tasks in the field of spirituality and religion. This intervention also facilitates allocation of tasks between nursing professionals and pastoral workers.
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