Identifying the Spiritual Needs of Patients with Cancer: A Conventional Content Analysis
akhlāq-i pizishkī i.e., Medical Ethics,
Vol. 19 (1404),
25 September 2025
,
Page 1-9
https://doi.org/10.22037/mej.v19i1.52034
Abstract
Background and Aim: Spiritual needs are highly prevalent among patients with cancer and are closely linked to psychological outcomes and quality of life. Despite international recommendations advocating the integration of spiritual care into oncology practice, systematic identification of these needs remains inconsistent. This study aimed to explore how spiritual needs are identified in patients with cancer from the perspective of interdisciplinary care team members.
Methods: This qualitative study employed a conventional content analysis approach. 18 participants, including oncology nurses, physicians, social workers and hospital chaplains, were purposively recruited. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using a constant comparative method. Trustworthiness was ensured by applying credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability criteria.
Ethical Considerations: Prior to the initiation of the study, the objectives of the research were thoroughly explained to the participants and informed consent was obtained both verbally and in written form. Participants were assured that all personal information would remain confidential and that all research documents would be securely stored. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and the research was conducted under the supervision of this committee.
Results: A total of 412 initial codes were extracted, which were refined into 28 subcategories and 5 main categories. The main categories were: 1- Progressive and layered identification of spiritual needs; 2- A holistic and time-sensitive approach; 3- Communication skills as facilitators or barriers; 4- Personal and social characteristics; 5- Decision-making for intervention and care planning. Findings indicated that identifying spiritual needs is a dynamic and relational process that begins with informal observation and may evolve into structured assessment and specialist referral.
Conclusion: Identifying the spiritual needs of patients with cancer requires a stepwise, relationship-centered and interdisciplinary approach. Integrating spiritual screening into routine oncology care and providing communication skills training for healthcare team members can contribute to improving the quality of holistic care.
- Spiritual Needs
- Cancer
- Spiritual Care
- Spiritual Assessment
- Qualitative Research
- Content Analysis
How to Cite
References
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