Peaceful End of Life: Evidence-based Recommendations for Spiritual Care
Journal of Pizhūhish dar dīn va Salāmat (i.e., Research on Religion & Health),
Vol. 11 No. 3 (2025),
11 November 2025
,
Page 11-22
https://doi.org/10.22037/jrrh.v11i3.47406
Abstract
Background and Objective: Spiritual care is recognized as a vital element in enhancing the quality of life for patients at the end of their lives. This type of care, by focusing on psychological, spiritual, and ethical needs, plays a fundamental role in facilitating the acceptance process and reducing stress associated with advanced diseases. Considering the complexities of this sensitive stage, the present study was conducted with the aim of developing evidence-based recommendations for spiritual care for patients at the end-of-life stage.
Methods: This was a mixed-methods study conducted in several phases. The qualitative phase involved content analysis of semi-structured interviews with 18 participants. In the second phase, a systematic search and review of national and international databases was conducted. After integrating the findings from both phases, validation of the recommendations was performed by the Delphi technique. In the present study, all ethical considerations were observed and the authors reported no conflict of interests.
Results: Spiritual care at the end of life requires comprehensive assessment of the patient and family, effective communication, symptom management, shared decision-making, respect for cultural and religious values, and psychological support during bereavement.
Conclusion: The findings revealed that spiritual care at the end of life, with a comprehensive and evidence-based approach, plays a significant role in enhancing patients' quality of life and supporting families. Attention to physical, psychological, social, and cultural dimensions, development of communication skills, and family involvement contributes to improving the patient experience. Implementing evidence-based recommendations and localizing guidelines can enhance the quality of care within the healthcare system.
- Palliative care
- Spirituality
- Spiritual care
- The end of life
How to Cite
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