Enhancing existential and spiritual care for palliative care patients from both the patient and nurse perspective

摘要

Existential and spiritual care is an important but undertreated area of palliative care. This thesis explored some tools and approaches, which may assist with addressing existential/spiritual concerns from both the nurse and patient perspective.udAims: Firstly to critically appraise the literature on therapeutic life review in the palliative care setting, secondly to explore the efficacy and feasibility of a therapeutic life review intervention called Outlook, and finally to explore how Australian palliative care nurses address existential/spiritual concerns with their patients and their views on existential/spiritual interventions in general and Outlook in particular. udMethods: A systematic review, an 11 subject study of Outlook intervention with both quantitative and qualitative analysis and semi-structured interviews of 20 experienced palliative care nurses were undertaken.udResults: There is limited but promising data about therapeutic life review. The Outlook intervention is acceptable and feasible when delivered by an experienced palliative care nurse. Patients were able to comfortably share their stories, legacies and needs for forgiveness. The nurses identified facilitators, barriers and strategies to providing holistic care and although lacking experience, positively appraised Outlook intervention. udConclusion: Providing existential and spiritual care to patients may be enhanced by the use of validated tools, facilitators and strategies.