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- Nursing diagnosis of ‘‘spiritual distress’’ in women with breast cancer prevalence and major defining characteristicsPublication . Caldeira, Sílvia; Timmins, Fiona; Carvalho, Emília de; Vieira, MargaridaBackground: Spirituality and spiritual needs of cancer patients are frequently mentioned in the nursing literature, but the most significant defining characteristics of spiritual distress in the context of clinical reasoning and nursing diagnosis are rarely explored. Understanding of these is important for effective spiritual intervention. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence and the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis ‘‘spiritual distress,’’ as classified according to NANDA International, among women with breast cancer. Methods: This was a quantitative and cross-sectional study, comprising the third phase of a larger study investigating the clinical validation of spiritual distress in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Fehring’s clinical diagnostic validation model was used to identify the prevalence and the major defining characteristics of the diagnosis. A convenience sample was used, and data were collected by structured interview. Results: A total of 70 women participated; most were married (62.9%) and had a mean age of 54 years, and 55.7% reported having at least 1 person depending on them. The average length of time since the cancer diagnosis was 30.9 months. Twenty-seven participants were experiencing spiritual distress (38.6%). Eleven defining characteristics were classified as major. Conclusions: The prevalence of spiritual distress and the major defining characteristics give clinical evidence about the nurse’s role in providing spiritual care. The results are useful for the improved use of the NANDA International diagnoses within this domain. Implications for Practice: The findings highlight the importance of assessing the defining characteristics of the diagnosis as an objective strategy to improve clinical reasoning related to spirituality and to facilitate more effective interventions.
- Clinical validation of the nursing diagnosis spiritual distress in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapyPublication . Caldeira, Sílvia; Timmins, Fiona; Carvalho, Emília Campos de; Vieira, MargaridaObjective: Validate the nursing diagnosis spiritual distress in cancer patients. Methods: Cross-sectional approach using Richard Fehring's Clinical Diagnostic Validity Model. Findings: The prevalence of diagnosis was 40.8% in a sample of 170 patients. A total of 16 defining characteristics were validated. Expresses suffering had the highest sensitivity value and lack of meaning in life had the highest specificity value. Conclusions: The diagnosis was validated. Cancer patients in spiritual distress are in a state of suffering related to lack of meaning in life. Implications for Practice: Sensitive diagnosis tools and language are required for nurses to make accurate judgments in situations of spiritual distress. Validation in different contexts would increase the clinical evidence of this diagnosis.
- Editorial: Special Issue “International Conference of Spirituality in Healthcare. Sowing the Seeds”—Trinity College Dublin 2015Publication . Timmins, Fiona; McSherry, Wilfred; O'Boyle, Colm; Brady, Vivienne; Caldeira, Sílvia
- Editorial: Time as presence and opportunity: the key to spiritual care in contemporary nursing practicePublication . Caldeira, Sílvia; Timmins, Fiona
- Spiritual aspects of living with infertility: a synthesis of qualitative studiesPublication . Romeiro, Joana; Caldeira, Sílvia; Brady, Vivienne; Timmins, Fiona; Hall, JennyAims and objectives: To identify the spiritual aspects of patients experiencing infertility and seek a deeper and broader meaning of the involuntary childlessness experience. Background: Infertility can be the cause for a spiritual crisis among some couples. Those who endure this involuntary childlessness condition frequently experience contradictory feelings and needs. In this context, core aspects of spirituality such as meaning and purpose in life are often questioned. Design: A review and synthesis of qualitative empirical research was undertaken to seek a deeper understanding of the spiritual aspects of patients’ experiences of infertility. Methods: An aggregative synthesis was conducted according to Saini and Shlonsky (Systematic synthesis of qualitative research, 2012, Oxford University Press, Oxford), using thematic analysis. Results: A total of 26 studies included female, male and couples. Settings revealed interviewees in different infertility phases such as diagnosis, assisted reproductive technologies and following fertility treatments. Two main themes emerged: spiritual needs and spirituality as a coping resource for infertility. Conclusion: Infertility affects the holistic existence of the couples. This adversity awakens spiritual needs along with unmet needs of parenthood. Coping strategies incorporating spirituality can enhance the ability of couples to overcome childlessness and suffering. Relevance to clinical practice: Infertile couples’ experiences of infertility may offer an opportunity for spiritual care particularly related to the assessment of spiritual needs and the promotion of spiritual coping strategies. Effective holistic care should support couples in overcoming and finding meaning in this life and health condition.