TY - JOUR
T1 - What is spiritual care?
T2 - Professional perspectives on the concept of spiritual care identified through group concept mapping
AU - Hvidt, Niels Christian
AU - Nielsen, Kristina Tomra
AU - Kørup, Alex K
AU - Prinds, Christina
AU - Hansen, Dorte Gilså
AU - Viftrup, Dorte Toudal
AU - Assing Hvidt, Elisabeth
AU - Hammer, Elisabeth Rokkjær
AU - Falkø, Erik
AU - Locher, Flemming
AU - Boelsbjerg, Hanne Bess
AU - Wallin, Johan Albert
AU - Thomsen, Karsten Flemming
AU - Schrøder, Katja
AU - Moestrup, Lene
AU - Nissen, Ricko Damberg
AU - Stewart-Ferrer, Sif
AU - Stripp, Tobias Kvist
AU - Steenfeldt, Vibeke Østergaard
AU - Søndergaard, Jens
AU - Wæhrens, Eva Ejlersen
N1 - © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
PY - 2020/12/28
Y1 - 2020/12/28
N2 - OBJECTIVES: The overall study aim was to synthesise understandings and experiences regarding the concept of spiritual care (SC). More specifically, to identify, organise and prioritise experiences with the way SC is conceived and practised by professionals in research and the clinic.DESIGN: Group concept mapping (GCM).SETTING: The study was conducted within a university setting in Denmark.PARTICIPANTS: Researchers, students and clinicians working with SC on a daily basis in the clinic and/or through research participated in brainstorming (n=15), sorting (n=15), rating and validation (n=13).RESULTS: Applying GCM, ideas were identified, organised and prioritised online. A total of 192 unique ideas of SC were identified and organised into six clusters. The results were discussed and interpreted at a validation meeting. Based on input from the validation meeting a conceptual model was developed. The model highlights three overall themes: (1) 'SC as an integral but overlooked aspect of healthcare' containing the two clusters SC as a part of healthcare and perceived significance; (2) 'delivering SC' containing the three clusters quality in attitude and action, relationship and help and support, and finally (3) 'the role of spirituality' containing a single cluster.CONCLUSION: Because spirituality is predominantly seen as a fundamental aspect of each individual human being, particularly important during suffering, SC should be an integral aspect of healthcare, although it is challenging to handle. SC involves paying attention to patients' values and beliefs, requires adequate skills and is realised in a relationship between healthcare professional and patient founded on trust and confidence.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The overall study aim was to synthesise understandings and experiences regarding the concept of spiritual care (SC). More specifically, to identify, organise and prioritise experiences with the way SC is conceived and practised by professionals in research and the clinic.DESIGN: Group concept mapping (GCM).SETTING: The study was conducted within a university setting in Denmark.PARTICIPANTS: Researchers, students and clinicians working with SC on a daily basis in the clinic and/or through research participated in brainstorming (n=15), sorting (n=15), rating and validation (n=13).RESULTS: Applying GCM, ideas were identified, organised and prioritised online. A total of 192 unique ideas of SC were identified and organised into six clusters. The results were discussed and interpreted at a validation meeting. Based on input from the validation meeting a conceptual model was developed. The model highlights three overall themes: (1) 'SC as an integral but overlooked aspect of healthcare' containing the two clusters SC as a part of healthcare and perceived significance; (2) 'delivering SC' containing the three clusters quality in attitude and action, relationship and help and support, and finally (3) 'the role of spirituality' containing a single cluster.CONCLUSION: Because spirituality is predominantly seen as a fundamental aspect of each individual human being, particularly important during suffering, SC should be an integral aspect of healthcare, although it is challenging to handle. SC involves paying attention to patients' values and beliefs, requires adequate skills and is realised in a relationship between healthcare professional and patient founded on trust and confidence.
U2 - 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042142
DO - 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042142
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 33372078
SN - 2044-6055
VL - 10
JO - BMJ Open
JF - BMJ Open
IS - 12
M1 - e042142
ER -