title: Taking a "leap of faith": acceptance and value of a cancer program-sponsored spiritual event.
abstract: Investigations of spiritual interventions for cancer patients are disproportionately few compared to the reported importance of religion to Americans. We report on the implementation and evaluation of a spiritual, community-based intervention developed with interdenominational community clergy. Approximately 1200 people attended a total of 3 gatherings: 2 at Roman Catholic and another at a Protestant Church. Respondents to questionnaires evaluating attendee characteristics and satisfaction (n = 209) were predominantly women (85%); 50% were patients and 45% were aged 60 years and older. Men were more likely to be currently under treatment for cancer, while women were more likely to be past patients or friends. Fewer than 2% felt anger or anxiety; attendees felt the service was very (90%) or somewhat (9.5%) helpful and expressed appreciation for cancer program clinician attendance and for hospital sponsorship of the event. Components in order of preference were prayer, music, Scripture, and litany. Logistic regression models reveal that music was most appreciated by previously treated patients, and prayer by currently treated patients. Secular healthcare systems can offer a religious service that comforts and links attendees to a broader community, including clergy and cancer program clinicians. Surveys can identify service components that appeal to differing groups and can facilitate service development.
authors.affiliation: Baystate Regional Cancer Program, Baystate Medical Center, 3400 Main St, Springfield, MA 01107, USA. nancy.dann@bhs.org
authors.forename: Nancy J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Dann
authors.forename: Wilson C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Mertens
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000786:Anger; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002410:Catholicism / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009013:Morale; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D010327:Pastoral Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D033303:Protestantism / Q000523:psychology*; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D029181:Spirituality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires