Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026
14:32
Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 16, 2011
26.2K
How Christian nurses converse with patients about spirituality
Jane Bacon Pfeiffer1, Carla Gober, Elizabeth Johnston Taylor
1School of Nursing, Azusa Pacific University, San Bernardino, CA, USA.
Journal of Clinical Nursing
|April 5, 2014
Summary
Exemplary Christian nurses use specific strategies like assessing connection and allowing patients to speak when providing spiritual care. Gentle approaches and ethical considerations guide these sensitive conversations.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Spirituality
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Verbal communication is key in spiritual care, yet empirical evidence is limited.
- Nurses often experience discomfort discussing spirituality with patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe exemplary Christian nurses' goals and strategies for spiritual care conversations.
- To understand how nurses approach patient spirituality discussions.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative, descriptive study using phenomenology.
- Semi-structured interviews with 14 registered nurses in various clinical settings.
- Thematic analysis of coded interview data.
Main Results:
- Key themes included assessing connection, introducing spirituality, finding commonality, self-disclosure, encouragement, advice, and prayer.
- Crucially, nurses prioritized 'allowing patients to talk'.
- Nurses approached spiritual discourse gently, assessing for resistance and proceeding cautiously.
Conclusions:
- Findings highlight compassionate nursing strategies for spiritual care conversations.
- Raises ethical questions regarding the influence of nurses' religious beliefs.
- Introduces the 'Invitation, Connection, Attentive care, Reciprocity' (ICAR) mnemonic for spiritual care communication.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Techniques of therapeutic communication I: Active Listening, Sharing Observations, Validation, and Using Touch
8.0K
The history of therapeutic communication can be traced back to Florence Nightingale, who emphasized the importance of developing trusting relationships with patients. She taught that the presence of nurses with patients results in therapeutic healing.
Therapeutic communication is not the same as social interaction. Social interaction has no goal or purpose and consists of casual information sharing, whereas therapeutic communication has a plan or purpose for the conversation. Therapeutic...
Therapeutic communication is not the same as social interaction. Social interaction has no goal or purpose and consists of casual information sharing, whereas therapeutic communication has a plan or purpose for the conversation. Therapeutic...
8.0K
01:23Techniques of Therapeutic Communication II: Focusing, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing
12.4K
Focusing involves centering a conversation on a message's critical elements or concepts. Focusing is valuable if the talk is vague or patients begin to repeat themselves. Sometimes, when patients are asked about their symptoms, they may go off-topic and try to tell their entire life story. Respectfully, the nurse should bring the conversation back into focus.
This therapeutic technique can also be used when a patient brings up pertinent information during a health-related conversation. The...
This therapeutic technique can also be used when a patient brings up pertinent information during a health-related conversation. The...
12.4K
01:27Ethical Issues
2.3K
Nurses are essential in patient care, upholding the ethical principles of their profession and effectively navigating ethical dilemmas. Neglecting ethical issues can lead to inadequate patient care, compromised therapeutic relationships, and moral distress among healthcare workers.
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
2.3K
01:23Ethical Standards II
1.2K
Ethical standards are the backbone of nursing practice, guiding nurses as they interact with patients, families, and colleagues. These standards are crucial for providing safe, empathetic care centered on the patient's needs.
Nurses are entrusted with upholding various ethical principles and standards. Nurses forge solid therapeutic relationships using trust, empathy, autonomy, confidentiality, and professional competence.
Confidentiality is crucial, embodying respect for individual privacy...
Nurses are entrusted with upholding various ethical principles and standards. Nurses forge solid therapeutic relationships using trust, empathy, autonomy, confidentiality, and professional competence.
Confidentiality is crucial, embodying respect for individual privacy...
1.2K
01:23Nurses' Legal Responsibilities II
2.0K
Establishing a secure, collaborative nurse-patient relationship is crucial for delivering high-quality care. This relationship, founded on trust, respect, and honesty, enhances the patient's comfort and willingness to share vital health information. For example, a nurse who listens actively and without judgment provides clear information about health conditions and treatment options and respects patient decisions, which builds a trusting relationship.
Communication between nurses and...
Communication between nurses and...
2.0K
01:30Therapeutic Communication
8.9K
Communication is a lifelong learning process. Through therapeutic communication, nurses can collect relevant assessment data, provide education and counseling, and interact during nursing interventions. Sending and receiving messages occur through verbal and nonverbal communication techniques and can happen separately or simultaneously.
Verbal communication depends on language or a prescribed way of using words so that people can share information effectively. The critical aspects of verbal...
Verbal communication depends on language or a prescribed way of using words so that people can share information effectively. The critical aspects of verbal...
8.9K