Spiritual care for adult patients with cancer: from maintaining hope and respecting cultures to supporting survivors—a narrative review

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Spirituality is an essential part of being human and spiritual needs are common among patients with serious illness. We will show 'Why' an interdisciplinary approach to spiritual care in adult oncology is the most effective way to support patients' spiritual needs. We will articulate 'Who' from the treatment team should provide spiritual support. We will review a means of 'How' the treatment team can provide spiritual support through being attentive to the spiritual needs, hopes, and resources of adult patients with cancer. METHODS: This is a narrative review. We conducted an electronic PubMed search from 2000-2022 using the following sets of terms: Spirituality, Spiritual Care, Cancer, Adult, Palliative Care. We also incorporated case studies as well as the experience and expertise of the authors. KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: Many adult patients with cancer report spiritual needs and a desire for the treatment team to address their spiritual needs. Addressing the spiritual needs of patients has been shown to be beneficial. Yet, the spiritual needs of patients with cancer are infrequently addressed in medical settings. CONCLUSIONS: Adult patients with cancer experience a range of spiritual needs throughout the disease trajectory. Best practice dictates the interdisciplinary treatment team should address the spiritual needs of patients with cancer through a generalist and specialist spiritual care model. Addressing spiritual needs helps patients maintain hope, assists clinicians in sustaining cultural humility during times of medical decision-making, and promotes well-being among survivors.