Just what are spiritual needs of cancer patients? An empirical study in a diverse population.
Authors: Alan Bennett Astrow, Gary Kwok, Rashmi Kumar Sharma, Nelli Fromer, Daniel Sulmasy
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2016)

Article Tools Patient and Survivor Care Article Tools OPTIONS & TOOLS Export Citation Track Citation Add To Favorites Rights & Permissions COMPANION ARTICLES No companion articles ARTICLE CITATION DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2016.34.15_suppl.10005 Journal of Clinical Oncology - published online before print May 20, 2016 Just what are spiritual needs of cancer patients? An empirical study in a diverse population. Alan Bennett AstrowxAlan Bennett AstrowSearch for articles by this author, Gary KwokxGary KwokSearch for articles by this author, Rashmi Kumar SharmaxRashmi Kumar SharmaSearch for articles by this author, Nelli FromerxNelli FromerSearch for articles by this author, Daniel SulmasyxDaniel SulmasySearch for articles by this author Show More Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY; NYU Medical Center, New York, NY; University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA; Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY; The University of Chicago, Chicago, ILAbstract Disclosures https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2016.34.15_suppl.10005 Abstract Abstract10005Background: National guidelines have endorsed attention to patients' spirituality as a key aspect of supportive care. Critics have questioned whether the term "spirituality" carries sufficient specificity. Others claim that the term imposes a Western, largely Christian concept on patients who do not share that background. Methods: We previously devised, validated, and translated into Chinese, Spanish, and Russian, a 23 item questionnaire called the Spiritual Needs Assessment for Patients (SNAP) that distinguishes between psychosocial, spiritual, and religious needs. We administered the SNAP to 850 patients at 4 oncology practice sites in Brooklyn, NY. Results: Patients returned 727 valid surveys. 44% were white, 13% Hispanic, 25% black, 14% Asian. English was the primary language for 57%. 32% were Catholic, 23% Jewish, 23% Protestant, 7% Eastern Orthodox, 7% Buddhist. 59% considered themselves “spiritual but not religious.” 48% were comfortable having their physician inquire about their spiritual needs, but only 3% reported that a physician had inquired about their religious or spiritual needs. 23% reported that their spiritual needs were not being met. Most (79%) had at least one spiritual need, including 51% wanting help “finding meaning in your experience of illness,” 58.3 % “finding hope,” 37.9% “making decisions about your medical treatment that are in keeping with your spiritual or religious beliefs,” 50.3% with “personal meditation or prayer practices,” 52.8% with “your relationship with God or something beyond yourself.” Russian speaking (p < .001), Jewish (p < .001), and Eastern Orthodox patients (p < .001) reported fewer spiritual needs. In a multivariate analysis, higher spiritual needs (but not psychosocial or religious needs) were associated with less satisfaction with care (p = .01) and lower perception of quality of care (P = .001). Conclusions: Many patients have spiritual needs of which their physicians may be unaware. These needs may influence the patient’s satisfaction with care and perception of quality of care. As expectations regarding spiritual needs in the context of illness may vary by cultural background, physicians and nurses need to explore patient concerns in this realm with sensitivity.© 2016 by American Society of Clinical Oncology