Spiritual needs of family caregivers in palliative care
Abstract Objective The primary aim of this study is to elucidate the spiritual needs encountered by family members who intricately engage in the progression of illness within the palliative care framework, thus assuming the paramount responsibility of caregiving. Methods This study was approved by t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Palliative Care |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-024-01589-y |
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| author | Uğur Uzun Serpil Başar Aykut Saritaş |
| author_facet | Uğur Uzun Serpil Başar Aykut Saritaş |
| author_sort | Uğur Uzun |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective The primary aim of this study is to elucidate the spiritual needs encountered by family members who intricately engage in the progression of illness within the palliative care framework, thus assuming the paramount responsibility of caregiving. Methods This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board and Ethics Committee of the University of Health Sciences İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital (17/01/2022–2022/01–16). The research was designed as a prospective study. It was conducted through face-to-face, interactive interviews with family caregivers of patients admitted to the palliative care unit at Tepecik Training and Research Hospital between April 2022 and December 2022. The interviews were performed using a phenomenological approach and structured in a question-and-answer format. Data from twenty family caregivers were analyzed using thematic analysis. The questions were specifically designed to explore the psychological processes, spirituality, conceptions of God, meaning-making, and coping strategies of the family caregivers. Results Caregivers experienced various psychological and emotional states progressing through stages of denial, anger, and acceptance. Spirituality emerged as a critical coping mechanism providing strength and meaning amidst caregiving challenges. Caregivers’ perceptions of God varied from loving to punitive, influencing their interpretations of suffering and caregiving roles. Conclusion This study underscores the importance of integrating spiritual support into palliative care practices. Recognizing and addressing caregivers’ spiritual needs is crucial for enhancing their well-being and improving the quality of palliative care delivery. Training healthcare professionals in spiritual care and implementing targeted interventions can effectively support family caregivers in their caregiving journey. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-40c5bc3457b34ed0aad4ec2cb19ba14b |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1472-684X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Palliative Care |
| spelling | doaj-art-40c5bc3457b34ed0aad4ec2cb19ba14b2025-08-20T02:49:59ZengBMCBMC Palliative Care1472-684X2024-11-012311810.1186/s12904-024-01589-ySpiritual needs of family caregivers in palliative careUğur Uzun0Serpil Başar1Aykut Saritaş2Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Health Sciences University Tepecik Training and Research HospitalProvincial Mufti Office, Presidency of Religious AffairsDepartment of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Health Sciences University Tepecik Training and Research HospitalAbstract Objective The primary aim of this study is to elucidate the spiritual needs encountered by family members who intricately engage in the progression of illness within the palliative care framework, thus assuming the paramount responsibility of caregiving. Methods This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board and Ethics Committee of the University of Health Sciences İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital (17/01/2022–2022/01–16). The research was designed as a prospective study. It was conducted through face-to-face, interactive interviews with family caregivers of patients admitted to the palliative care unit at Tepecik Training and Research Hospital between April 2022 and December 2022. The interviews were performed using a phenomenological approach and structured in a question-and-answer format. Data from twenty family caregivers were analyzed using thematic analysis. The questions were specifically designed to explore the psychological processes, spirituality, conceptions of God, meaning-making, and coping strategies of the family caregivers. Results Caregivers experienced various psychological and emotional states progressing through stages of denial, anger, and acceptance. Spirituality emerged as a critical coping mechanism providing strength and meaning amidst caregiving challenges. Caregivers’ perceptions of God varied from loving to punitive, influencing their interpretations of suffering and caregiving roles. Conclusion This study underscores the importance of integrating spiritual support into palliative care practices. Recognizing and addressing caregivers’ spiritual needs is crucial for enhancing their well-being and improving the quality of palliative care delivery. Training healthcare professionals in spiritual care and implementing targeted interventions can effectively support family caregivers in their caregiving journey.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-024-01589-yPalliative careFamily caregiversSpiritual needConception of God |
| spellingShingle | Uğur Uzun Serpil Başar Aykut Saritaş Spiritual needs of family caregivers in palliative care BMC Palliative Care Palliative care Family caregivers Spiritual need Conception of God |
| title | Spiritual needs of family caregivers in palliative care |
| title_full | Spiritual needs of family caregivers in palliative care |
| title_fullStr | Spiritual needs of family caregivers in palliative care |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spiritual needs of family caregivers in palliative care |
| title_short | Spiritual needs of family caregivers in palliative care |
| title_sort | spiritual needs of family caregivers in palliative care |
| topic | Palliative care Family caregivers Spiritual need Conception of God |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-024-01589-y |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT uguruzun spiritualneedsoffamilycaregiversinpalliativecare AT serpilbasar spiritualneedsoffamilycaregiversinpalliativecare AT aykutsaritas spiritualneedsoffamilycaregiversinpalliativecare |