Interprofessional spiritual care education in pediatric hematology‐oncology: A pilot study

Abstract

Background Evidence and clinical guidelines call care team members to address the spiritual well‐being of pediatric patients, especially adolescents and young adults (AYA), with cancer and blood disorders. However, the lack of relevant training in generalist spiritual care has been a key barrier. Therefore, we aimed to improve clinicians’ capabilities by utilizing the Interprofessional Spiritual Care Education Curriculum (ISPEC) to close this gap in pediatric hematology‐oncology. A model of interprofessional spiritual care entails that all team members attend to patients’ spirituality by employing generalist spiritual care skills and collaborating with spiritual care specialists such as chaplains. Methods Interdisciplinary team members providing care for AYA with cancer and blood disorders were recruited to participate in interprofessional spiritual care education. Our intervention combined an evidence‐based online curriculum and in‐person discussion groups. Pretest‐posttest study examined changes in participants’ skills and practices to identify, address, and discuss spiritual concerns. Surveys were conducted at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months after the intervention. Results Participants (n = 21) included physicians, advanced practice providers, nurse coordinators, and psychosocial team members. We observed positive changes in participants’ ability (36%, P < 0.01), frequency (56%, P = 0.01), confidence (32%, P < 0.01), and comfort (31%, P = 0.02) providing generalist spiritual care baseline versus one month, with significant gains maintained through six months (Omnibus P < 0.05). Conclusions Utilizing ISPEC, interprofessional spiritual care education has a strong potential to develop pediatric hematology‐oncology team members’ capabilities to attend to the spiritual aspect of whole‐person care and thus contribute to the well‐being of AYA with cancer and blood disorders.

A descriptive study of the multidisciplinary healthcare experiences of inpatient resuscitation events

“…Healthcare professionals who practice their faith and/or have a strong sense of purpose in their role may experience less distress during critical events. 30 , 31 …”

Vivências de familiares diante da finitude da criança no processo de adoção de cuidados paliativos

“…Este sentimento tem uma conexão profunda com a manifestação de uma atitude que também foi desvelada na interpretação dos depoimentos: alguns familiares buscam imediatamente o apoio em sua fé ou espiritualidade, seja na forma de súplica, pedindo à entidade em que crêem a concretização de um milagre que salve a criança da morte prematura, ou para dar sentido àquela situação de impotência e angariar forças para suportar toda essa experiência dolorosa: A espiritualidade é uma perspectiva dinâmica que é intrínseca do ser humano, através da qual ocorre a busca de significado, propósito e transcendência e que envolve o relacionamento consigo-mesmo, com os demais seres, com a natureza, e com tudo o que ele considera como sagrado (24) . Em momentos de dor, angústia e sofrimento -como a evidência de uma doença potencialmente fatal e sem chance de cura -é natural que ocorra uma luta espiritual interna, para a qual o ser lança mão de estratégias de enfrentamento espiritual.…”

“…No entanto, é evidente o despreparo dos profissionais de saúde para avaliar reações e abordar questões de cunho espiritual com pacientes e familiares (25) . Ainda assim, existem recomendações para que as questões espirituais sejam consideradas no cuidado em saúde no sentido de empoderar os profissionais para avaliação das crenças e práticas culturais e espirituais dos pacientes e familiares no contexto das suas reações à doença e ao tratamento (24) .…”

The experience of families in face of the finiteness of their children in the process of adopting palliative care

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“…Health workers are clearly unprepared to evaluate reactions and address spiritual questions with relatives and families (25) . Still, there are guidelines according to which spiritual issues should be considered in health care, in order to empower professionals to evaluate cultural and spiritual practices and beliefs of patients and their families in the context of their reactions to the diseas and to treatment (24) .…”