The spiritual component in healing Personal faith in some belief system helps patients to cope with their illness. Anne has just viewed a video made by a teenage patient who wanted her journey recorded on video to help other teenagers. It portrays honestly the good times and the times that were sheer hell for her. It is clear from the video that what assisted her to cope with what proved to be a terminal illness was her personal faith. The spiritual component is of great importance.
People gain in strength from having their spiritual needs met.
Hospital chaplains offer support when called upon, but most patients bring their own spiritual support with them, either a person who shares their religious faith or a contact with some other spiritual base. Often people who have not been practising Christians when confronted with cancer return to their faith. Listening skills One of the most important skills for those working in the cancer ward is active listening. Both patients and their families need to talk and need a lot of time spent with a nurse just listening. Often there is nothing that can or needs to be said in reply.