DQ: What is your definition of spiritual care?

DQ: What is your definition of spiritual care?

Topic 5 DQ 1
Jan 24-26, 2022
What is your definition of spiritual care? How does it differ or accord with the description given in the topic readings? Explain.
Tara Indrieri
Posted Date
Jan 27, 2022, 12:57 AM
Replies to Tara Indrieri
According to Timmins & Caldeira (2017), NANDA International, formerly known as North American Nursing Diagnosis Association, describes the definition of spiritual distress as “a state of suffering related to the impaired ability to experience meaning in life through connections of with self, others, the world, or a superior being” (p. 48, as cited in Herdman & Kamitsuru, 2014). My personal definition of spiritual care is providing care for patients to help them regain their centeredness in their uniqueness of being, meaning, purpose, belonging, and love. Spiritual care is achieved by attending to and restoring a patient’s inner spirit and soul through their “emotions, thoughts, feelings, desires, and will” (Evans, 2020, para. 4). According to my definition of spiritual care, I believe it is in accord with Christian spiritual care by fostering relationships that nurture the spirit, offering a compassionate presence, and assisting in the effort to find meaning in the face of suffering, illness, and death.

References

Evans, K. A. (2020). Intervention, ethical decision-making, and spiritual care. In Practicing dignity: An introduction to Christian values and decision making in health care. Grand Canyon University. https://lc.gcumedia.com/phi413v/practicing-dignity-an-introduction-to-christian-values-and-decision-making-in-health-care/v1.1/#/chapter/5

Herdman TH, Kamitsuru S (Eds) (2014) NANDA International Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions and Classification. 2015-2017. Tenth edition. Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford.

Timmins, F., & Caldeira, S. (2017). Assessing the spiritual needs of patients. Nursing Standard (2014+), 31(29), 47. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.7748/ns.2017.e10312

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Valery Ndonku
replied toTara Indrieri
Jan 28, 2022, 9:01 PM
• Replies to Tara Indrieri
Hi Tara,
I really enjoyed reading your topic 5 DQ 1 discussion post on spiritual care and how one’s own understanding differs from how the discussion topic has been presented in the topic readings. I think that you did an excellent job especially by introducing the concept of spiritual distress and how it may cause untold suffering to our patients. I do agree that providing spiritual care for our patients especially those experiencing spiritual distress significantly improves both the patient’s care experience and outcome.
• Kimberly Martin
replied toTara Indrieri
Jan 28, 2022, 10:28 PM
• Replies to Tara Indrieri
Hi Tara,
I liked your response to this weeks discussion question. In your post you discussed the importance of offering a compassionate presence, that can help assist our patients in finding the meaning as they face illness, suffering, and death. No matter how busy we are as nurses, we must foster a relationship with our patients by showing empathy and kindness, and using compassionate touch, and take the time during our busy workday to develop a trusting relationship with our patients (Aagard et al., 2018). Nurses must also take the time to listen to our patients health and spiritual concerns so we can deliver or collaborate with the appropriate team members to provide the holistic care that is needed and deserved to help alleviate their suffering.

Reference
Aagard, M., Papadopoulos, I., Biles, J., (January 26, 2018) “Exploring Compassion in U.S. Nurses: Results from an International Research Study” OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing Vol. 23, No. 1.

Stacy Morris
Posted Date
Jan 27, 2022, 12:52 AM
Replies to Tara Indrieri
Spiritual care provides compassionate dignified care both physically and spiritually, treating the body, mind, and spirit. All humans have spirituality, whether they recognize it or not. Their spirituality is the essence of who they are, their inner self, and their purpose in life. My spiritual beliefs are based on my Christian beliefs that all humans are created in the image of God, by God. Each person has inherent worth and must be treated with respect, compassion, and dignity. Spiritual interventions regarding their beliefs, values, and needs are a vital part of patient care. A spirituality assessment is a key to finding out their beliefs, wants, and needs as a practitioner. I am not knowledgeable on all worldview beliefs, and it is imperative to research and discuss their needs. “Spirituality affects every aspect of a person’s life, so offering emotional and spiritual care support should be an important focus for all health care providers” (Evans, 2020)
Reference:

Evans, Keith A. (2020). Intervention, ethical decision-making, and spiritual care. In Grand Canyon University [GCU]. Practicing Dignity: An introduction to Christian values and decision making in healthcare. (ch.5). https://lc.gcumedia.com/phi413v/practicing-dignity-an-introduction-to-christian-values-and-decision-making-in-health-care/v1.1/#/chapter/5

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Kimberly Martin
replied toStacy Morris
Jan 28, 2022, 10:46 PM
• Replies to Stacy Morris
Hi Stacy,
I really enjoyed your thoughtful post to this weeks discussion question.
I agree with you that I am lacking in knowledge of all the different worldview beliefs. Over the past couple years my competence related to different worldview beliefs has improved. Worldview beliefs and values of both the patients and their health care providers

are known to contribute to health disparities (Tilburt, 2010). Worldviews are are essential for all humans, as they help them to make sense of their life, as they are their values, beliefs and assumptions (Tilburt, 2010). Differing worldviews between health care providers and patients can lead to bias, stereotypes, and prejudice by health care providers (Tilburt, 2010). These differing views can also lead to conflict during clinical interactions with our patients. This conflict can interfere with providing the patient with the necessary care they need. In order to become a more competent health care provider to my patients I will continue to expand my knowledge on different cultural and religious worldviews as they play a key role in decreasing our patients health disparities (Tilburt, 2010).

Hi Stacy,
Great post, and I agree with you. Although it is truly impossible for us to be knowledgeable about all religions, we can meet our patients’ spiritual needs when understanding their religious beliefs and practices. Your point is also why we should never presume to know a patient’s religious beliefs or practices are just because we have learned the patient’s faith tradition. Many religious groups and individuals work out their own set of values, beliefs, and practices, which may or may not be compatible with the tradition at large.
~Tara
Kimberly Martin
Posted Date
Jan 27, 2022, 12:48 AM
I have been a nurse since 1988 and have become more aware because of this class, that my patients are not being provided the spiritual care that they may like and deserve to have. There is a question on the patient’s intake related to their religious preference and how important their religious/spiritual beliefs are to them. The spiritual care that is often practiced on my unit in PACU is related to the patients who have religious beliefs and refuse blood products and babies that are born to Christian parents and are not expected to live, so the nurse calls a Priest or Chaplin to come baptize the baby in PACU before the baby dies.
I believe that nurses must first understand the definition of spirituality before we can provide our patients with competent spiritual care. I believe that a patients spirituality is related to their religious beliefs, faith, and moral and ethical values. A patients spirituality can also have an impact on whether or not they will be compliant with the recommended medical treatments or plan of care as they may not align with their religious beliefs, such as the patient who refuses blood products. As nurses we must understand the significance of our patients spirituality and faith when we are providing care to them. In order to provide the proper spiritual care to our patients, we must first inquire what are their spiritual beliefs, so we can provide understanding, and respect for their spiritual worldview without any bias, so we can provide appropriate care and interventions. When the nurse is attentive to the patients spiritual needs and incorporates the patients spiritual worldview and beliefs into their care, it can help reduce the patient’s worries and concerns, which can then lead to more positive health care outcomes for the patient.
Evans stated that “spirituality refers to the soul and its protection and nurturing during life … protected through correct moral thought and by living as directed through sacred texts” and that humans are innately spiritual beings and at all stages of their lives have a need for spiritual care (Evans, 2020). Evans also stated that health care providers must understand their patient’s inner worldview which part of the foundation of how they approach the administration of care to the patient and their ability to respect their patients spiritual worldview (Evans, 2020). When the health care providers are intentional and attentive to the patient and their family’s spiritual beliefs and needs, the result is more positive holistic health care outcomes for the patient (Evans, 2020).

Important information for writing discussion questions and participation

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Please read through the following information on writing a Discussion question response and participation posts.

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Important information on Writing a Discussion Question

• Your response needs to be a minimum of 150 words (not including your list of references)
• There needs to be at least TWO references with ONE being a peer reviewed professional journal article.
• Include in-text citations in your response
• Do not include quotes—instead summarize and paraphrase the information
• Follow APA-7th edition
• Points will be deducted if the above is not followed

Participation –replies to your classmates or instructor

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• Follow APA 7th edition
• Points will be deducted if the above is not followed

• Remember to use and follow APA-7th edition for all weekly assignments, discussion questions, and participation points.
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