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Table 1 The process and outcome of responding to patients’ spiritual needs

From: An investigation into the spiritual needs of neuro-oncology patients from a nurse perspective

A. How nurses became aware of patients’ spiritual needs

B. The nature of patients’ reported concerns

C. The nurses’ action

D. The outcome of nurses’ intervention

By encouraging patients to talk and listening to them

Being calm and happy as a feature of patient’s spirituality

Providing company/reassurance

Difficult to follow-up patients’ outcomes, for example, time factor, patient died,

Looking for clues about patients’ spirituality/religion

Expression of loneliness, anger

Providing explanation/practical support

Factors other than spirituality may contribute

Through recognition of patient’s emotions

Displays of emotions

Showing sensitivity

Nurses feel that the support they provide is of any assistance

Assuming spirituality equates with and religion

Talking about personal beliefs

Creating positive caring environment

Being sensitive and respectful

Admission of lack of awareness of spiritual needs

Overt expressions about God

Providing religious support/referral to chaplaincy

Feeling uncomfortable when dealing with patients’ spiritual needs because of lack of awareness

Role uncertainty in spiritual care

Asking for spiritual leader to visit

Providing support patients’ relatives, for example discussing end of life decisions; supporting spouse who felt lost and unbalanced

Do not believe spiritual care is a priority and consider it to be a burden on practice