Perception of nursing professionals on the satisfaction of spiritual needs of cancer patients.

Abstract

Introduction: At present, the interest and concern for spirituality and its relationship with the quality of life of cancer patients is growing. The objective was: to identify the perception of nursing professionals about the satisfaction of spiritual needs, their influence on the quality of care for patients with cancer and the way to satisfy them. Methodology: A descriptive, qualitative study was carried out at the Caja Nacional de Salud Oncology service of Hospital Obrero No. 2 in Cochabamba. The population consisted of 11 nursing professionals who work in the oncology service, and the sample was made up of 8 nurses who underwent an in-depth interview. Results: All the nursing professionals interviewed considered that spiritual care is important in cancer patients, to maintain their well-being and promote the search for internal resources that allow them to face the present situation, participate in treatment, improve their ability to relate to others. Discussion: During the investigation, the in-depth interviews were a timely and valid way to obtain information from the perspective of the professionals who provide care to cancer patients in the service, which made it possible to interpret their meanings about spiritual care, understand the knowledge and perceptions that they have regarding it and the way in which they would respond to the affected needs that they present.