The lived experiences of spiritual suffering and the healing process among Taiwanese patients with terminal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The purposes of this study were to explore the lived experiences of spiritual suffering and the change mechanism in healing processes among Taiwanese patients with terminal cancer.


METHODS
The approach to this study was phenomenological-hermeneutic. Twenty-one patients with terminal cancer were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview that dealt with their experiences of spiritual suffering and the healing process. This study was conducted in the inpatient unit of the oncology department in two general hospitals. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and later analysed using the approach of narrative analysis.


RESULTS
According to the results of case narration, the causes of spiritual suffering included cancer, known as a life-threatening illness, physical pain, treatment complications, uncertain illness progression, disability problems and lack of support. Patients turned to internal resources (including regarding the suffering as a life challenge, volunteering to help other cancer patients and searching for life wisdoms) and external resources (including peer support groups and family support) as they endured spiritual suffering. Taiwanese patients turned to Eastern and Western philosophies of Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism and Christianity as methods to interpret their spiritual suffering.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients' positive views of misfortune because of cancer and sufficient social supports were the key elements of the healing process to alleviate spiritual suffering.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses who learn to participate in suffering assessment are better able to understand spiritual needs of cancer patients. Cancer patients' views on the change mechanism in healing processes could provide essential information for nurses in developing an effective intervention programme. If nurses consider cultural factors that shape patients' experiences of spiritual suffering and the healing process, they could learn how to meet the needs of patients better from different cultural backgrounds.
Chio
Chung-Ching
CC
Department of Neurosurgery, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Yung Kang City, Tainan, Taiwan.
Shih
Fu-Jin
FJ
Chiou
Jeng-Fong
JF
Lin
Hsiao-Wei
HW
Hsiao
Fei-Hsiu
FH
Chen
Yu-Ting
YT
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D029181:Spirituality; D013624:Taiwan; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology*