Spiritual assessment of patients with cancer: the moral authority, vocational, aesthetic, social, and transcendent model.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the nature of spiritual care in patients with cancer and discuss the Moral Authority, Vocational, Aesthetic, Social, and Transcendent (Mor-VAST) Model, a new theoretical model for assessment.


METHODS
Published articles, online references.


RESULTS
Discussions regarding spirituality often do not occur for a variety of reasons but may affect physical and spiritual health of an individual.


CONCLUSIONS
Assessment of spirituality should be an integral part of cancer care. The Mor-VAST model can assist clinicians in discussing spirituality.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses should be aware of resources for referral to chaplaincy, but they can be a part of the process of spiritual support. Educational opportunities are available for nurses who wish to address their own spirituality so they can address spirituality comfortably and confidently with their patients.
Skalla
Karen
K
Outreach Program, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA. karen.a.skalla@hitchcock.org
McCoy
J Patrick
JP
D002604:Chaplaincy Service, Hospital; D004651:Employment; D004954:Esthetics; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009014:Morals; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D012924:Social Conditions; D029181:Spirituality