Open AccessCE: Assessing and Managing Spiritual Distress in Cancer Survivorship
Author(s) -
Timiya S. Nolan,
Kristine K. Browning,
Jacqueline B Vo,
Rachel Meadows,
Raheem J. Paxton
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the american journal of nursing/american journal of nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1538-7488
pISSN - 0002-936X
DOI - 10.1097/01.naj.0000652032.51780.56
Subject(s) - spirituality , distress , survivorship curve , neglect , cancer survivor , quality of life (healthcare) , psychology , spiritual care , medicine , disease , psychotherapist , cancer , clinical psychology , psychiatry , alternative medicine , pathology
More than 67% of people diagnosed with cancer in the United States are alive five years after receiving the diagnosis; but even if they are cancer free, the effects of the disease and its treatment will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Distress, which can be of a psychological, social, physical, or spiritual nature, is common among cancer survivors. Spiritual distress is a broad concept that is not necessarily associated with any specific religious beliefs, practices, or affiliations. Both religious and nonreligious people may have a strong sense of spirituality and may experience spiritual distress at various points throughout cancer survivorship. But clinicians often neglect to explore the spiritual components of distress, and despite the well-established association between spiritual well-being and quality of life, few of the instruments designed to assess the care needs of cancer survivors address spiritual needs. Through a composite clinical case, this article illustrates how nurses can incorporate into practice evidence-based recommendations for assessing and managing spiritual distress in cancer survivors.