Perception of Cancer Patients of Spiritual Needs: Content analysis

Background & Aim: Diagnosis of cancer can cause huge spiritual crisis in a person and affect different aspects of his life. At this stage, patients have certain spiritual needs. Given lack of evidence for investigating spiritual needs of patients, this study was conducted to explain spiritual needs of cancer patients in Iran. Methods & Materials: In this qualitative study, 18 cancer patients, referred to the Cancer Institute of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran were selected using purposive sampling method, and their spiritual needs emerged out of conventional content analysis of interviews conducted with them. Results: From 1850 initial codes, 4 themes were identified that contained categories of social support, normal behavior, inner peace, seeking forgiveness, hope, acceptance of reality, seeking causality, ending well, change of life meaning, strengthening spiritual belief, communication with God and prayer Conclusions: Given results obtained in this study, spiritual needs of cancer patients are highlighted afterthe diagnosis, which should be recognized, realized and considered in care of patients by the medical team. An all-out support of health system policy makers to meet patients’ spiritual needs is particularly important

کلیدواژه ها:

spiritual ، spiritual needs ، cancer ، cancer patients