the spiritual dimension of the oncological patient from personalist bioethics

Abstract

Objetive: To describe the meaning of the spiritual dimension from the perspective of the cancer patient, in the light of personalistic bioethics. Material and methods: The theoretical bases were based on several investigations, from which their best contributions have been extracted. The qualitative descriptive methodology was used, using semi-structured interviews as a data collection technique. The research subjects were comprised of several patients with cancer, two doctors, two nurses and one religious. The criteria of scientific rigor and bioethical principles of Elio Sgreccia were taken into account. Results: Patients with cancer go through several facets; Ranging from the total rejection of the disease to the acceptance of it, for which it is necessary to encounter an existential and transcendental sustenance. In this sense, spirituality plays a fundamental role; it allows finding physical, psychological and existential balance. Conclusions: The health system, due to the lack of training in spiritual subjects, neglects the attention of patients in this dimension. However, the work done with the interviewing people, points out the need for attention of this existential reality because it allows to improve the sense of illness and life, allowing to oversize the existence in this world.