Palliative Patients and Spiritual Distress: The Roles of Health Care Providers

Part II (of III)

(The continuation of a discussion originally begun in this blog on October 14, 2006)

In her review article, “Role of the Doctor in Relieving Spiritual Distress at the End of Life,” Karen Pronk asks the question, “Should spiritual care be part of palliative care?” and cites a couple of studies that suggest yes it should. The evidence suggest that spiritual distress in a patient can have an impact on the patient’s outcome in the form of physical effects, while spiritual support could improve the outcome. “Pain, noncompliance with the care plan, guilt, and hopelessness have also been suggested as indicators of spiritual suffering,” Pronk states, “…showing that spiritual distress can be expressed in physical and psychological terms” (p. 420; citing Cobb). In order to provide comprehensive care, palliative care needs to be attuned and willing to address the spiritual needs of the dying patient.

According to Pronk, the training that healthcare workers receive is “lacking in both the language and the permission to talk about spiritual care issues” (p. 421). There is as well a number of discussions pertaining to the form that language should take, be it psychological, pastoral, secular or the ability to listen, acknowledge and understand. Of course, anyone can provide spiritual care—family, friends, hospice staff, nurses, and doctors— anyone who has the perception and sensitivity that the circumstances require.

To be continued …

Pronk, Karen. "Role of the Doctor in Relieving Spiritual Distress at the End of Life." American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine 22, no. 6 (November/December 2005): 419-425.