title: The spiritual strength story in end-of-life care: two case studies.
abstract: In this article I analyze two brief case studies to propose that a "spiritual strength story" has five defining characteristics: (1) it is brief; (2) it is ontological; (3) it uses symbols and metaphors; (4) it is a "big story" or meta-narrative with a positive spiritual and/or religious focus that informs other narrative data; and (5) most conspicuously of all, it repeats. Cultivating awareness of the "spiritual strength" narrative type can help to improve the quality of inter-professional patient-centered care teamwork and understanding, especially in regard to the reflexive, embodied, and relational aspects of palliative and end-of-life care.
authors: St. Mary's of the Lake Hospital Site, Providence Care, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. robert.mundle@utoronto.ca
authors: Robert G
authors: RG
authors: Mundle
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D033262:Narration; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D029181:Spirituality; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology*