Australian patient preferences for the introduction of spirituality into their healthcare journey: A mixed methods study
Publication Details
Best, M. C.,
Jones, K.,
Merritt, F.,
Casey, M.,
Lynch, S.,
Eisman, J.,
Cohen, J.,
Mackie, D.,
Beilharz, K.,
&
Kearney, M.
(2022).
Australian patient preferences for the introduction of spirituality into their healthcare journey: A mixed methods study.
Journal of Religion and Health, Early View (Online First).
Abstract
While patients value engagement concerning their spirituality as a part of holistic healthcare, there is little evidence regarding the preferred way to engage in discussions about spirituality. This study investigated inpatient preferences regarding how they would like spirituality to be raised in the hospital setting. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with inpatients at six hospitals in Sydney, Australia (n = 897), with a subset invited to participate in qualitative interviews (n = 41). There was high approval for all proposed spiritual history prompts (94.0–99.8%). In interviews, the context dictated the appropriateness of discussions. Findings indicated a high level of patient acceptability for discussing spirituality in healthcare. Further research and more detailed analysis is required and proposed to be undertaken.
Keywords
spirituality, history-taking, patient preferences, holistic care, healthcare professionals
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