Abstract
Objective: This article describes the assessment of the spiritual wellbeing of elderly patients with cancer submitted to chemotherapy and possible predictive factors of the spiritual distress diagnosis. Methodology: this is a methodological study for clinical validation of a nursing diagnosis, using interviews to assist in completing the form. Results: 45 elderly patients participated in this study, Catholics, mostly female, diagnosed with breast cancer, average age of 70.3 years. The prevalence of spiritual distress was of 42%; 24.4% of the elderly patients were under anti-depressant medication. A significant association was noted between spiritual distress, antidepressant medication and level of education; an increase (not significant) was acknowledged at the start of the treatment. Conclusion: these results emphasize the relevance of clarifying this diagnosis and the responsibility of nurses to provide spiritual care to patients. Interventions should be planned appropriately every time a nursing diagnosis is identified as a complex answer and for which pharmacological treatment is not sufficient.
| Translated title of the contribution | Entre o bem-estar espiritual e a angústia espiritual: possíveis fatores relacionados a idosos com cancro |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Pages (from-to) | 28-34 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2014 |
Keywords
- Nursing
- Spirituality
- Nursing diagnosis
- Aged
- Neoplasms
