Spirituality and life-threatening illness: a phenomenologic study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the lived experience of individuals when confronted with a life-threatening disease.


METHODS
Qualitative, phenomenologic using Giorgi's approach.


METHODS
Patients' homes in the Midwest.


METHODS
Five women and two men, aged 44-74 years, who had a variety of diagnoses, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, and myocardial infarction.


METHODS
Subjects were recruited through flyers posted at support groups and religious establishments and by word of mouth.


METHODS
Willingness to volunteer to share their stories.


RESULTS
Participants described how their spirituality provided comfort throughout their journey, strength in facing the life-threatening illness, many blessings despite the hardship of the illness, and trust in a higher power to see them through the journey. All participants described a sense of meaning in their lives throughout their experience.


CONCLUSIONS
Spirituality greatly affected patients' journeys through a life-threatening illness and provided a sense of meaning despite the illness.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses need to acknowledge patients' spirituality and, in turn, assist patients in meeting their spiritual needs. By understanding the study participants' experiences, nurses can better support their patients, provide time and space for spiritual practices, and honor patients' spiritual journeys.
Albaugh
Jeffrey A
JA
Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA. jaalbaug@nmh.org
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D003210:Concept Formation; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019369:Life; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research / Q000379:methods*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D012072:Religious Philosophies / Q000523:psychology; D029181:Spirituality