Spirituality and Religiosity During the Peri-Operative Period for Cancer Patients and their Family: An Integrative Systematic Review
Journal Title: Palliative Medicine & Hospice Care – Open Journal - Year 2015, Vol 1, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: Religion and Spirituality (R/S) may influence cancer patient’s emotional distress, mental health and healing throughout their diagnosis and treatment. Objective: This systematic review examines studies exploring R/S of cancer patients and their family in the perioperative period. Design: We completed a systematic review of the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, the Web of Science, and Cochrane library concerning the terms “religion and spirituality” and “cancer surgery”. Inclusion criteria included qualitative or quantitative studies evaluating R/S of cancer patients or their family members within the perioperative period (one month pre- and post-surgery). Exclusion criteria included review articles, grey literature, editorials, case studies and studies evaluating R/S of healthcare providers. Results: Seven publications met criteria for analysis. Five studies described cross-sectional surveys, one used a focus-group approach, and one utilized in-person interviews. Studied populations predominantly were female breast cancer patients. There were considerable heterogeneity in survey instruments, variables, and outcomes. Based on these studies: 1) Faith and religious beliefs were used as coping mechanisms during the perioperative period; 2) Evangelical Christians tended to differ in religious coping compared to Catholics; 3) R/S correlated with coping styles and distress; 4) There was increased religious coping and religious involvement during the perioperative period; Conclusions: Studies evaluating R/S of cancer patients and their families in the perioperative period are few and heterogeneous in design. Direct comparison is difficult, but data suggests that R/S during the perioperative period may increase as compared to R/S during other stages of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Authors and Affiliations
Joann B. Hunsberger
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP548612
- DOI 10.17140/PMHCOJ-1-103
- Views 231
- Downloads 0
Cultural Challenges in Implementing Palliative Care Services In Iraq
Culturally compatible palliative care presupposes understanding of that culture’s perspectives of cancer and death. Iraq is a culturally diverse country with different perspectives towards cancer and death. The concept o...
Spirituality and Religiosity During the Peri-Operative Period for Cancer Patients and their Family: An Integrative Systematic Review
Background: Religion and Spirituality (R/S) may influence cancer patient’s emotional distress, mental health and healing throughout their diagnosis and treatment. Objective: This systematic review examines studies explor...
Assessing Advance Care Plan Discussions in Hospice Day Care
Background: Advance care planning (ACP) is a voluntary discussion between an individual and their care providers. The primary purpose is to identify and document a person’s wishes and preferences for future care. Method:...
Cultural Challenges in Implementing Palliative Programs in Emerging Countries
Clinical approach of palliative care is beneficial during an individual’s journey with illness, and can be utilized through many care settings by all members of the health care team. Many complex cultural issues can affe...
The Role of Emotions in Palliative Care
Emotions are inherent to human condition and color all the activities we do every single day. They are the most important engine in our lives and facilitate the adaptation to environmental demands: they influence the cog...