The examination of their religious requirements is part of the medical care procedure. For the best results in patients, patient care should include more than just physical demands (Sharma, Astrow, Texeira, & Sulmasy, 2012). The following interview is based on the framework of my device known as BEND-F, which is discussed below in a spiritual needs assessment with a male cancer patient.
B-Belief. Do you think so? If so, in whom in what capacity? Describe your religious beliefs.
Absolutely, I believe it. I have faith in God and the Holy Trinity... Christian. And, in truth, Jesus is my Lord and Saviour. I've had faith my entire life. Being born in a Christian family and knowing no other direction to look, I chose Jesus. I had to make some of my spiritual decisions on my own, however, such as the Christian denomination that I subscribe. It is different from the one of my parents. I believe I am a firm Christian.
E-Effect. Do you believe that your belief could affect your condition? Has it done that?
Yes, sure. I pray every day. I cannot start my day without prayer… I wouldn't know how and where to start it. These drugs wouldn't work without faith, trust me. Each time the day is going south reminds me that I did not pray and there and then I pray, regardless of where I might be. I am glad that this cancer has not affected my faith adversely. In fact, I feel like need the good Lord more than ever before, plus I have all the time for him now. If it were not for my faith, I would already be dead through a painful death.
N-Needs. Do you believe your spiritual Needs are well addressed? Are there provisions that can be made to ensure they are, such as religious books or a chaplain to help?
Yes, I do. I pray, I read my bible and other books every day. The chaplain comes to visit occasionally, nice young man. I think I am well sorted out in that department.
D-Desire. Do you desire your higher being? Do you feel connected?
Yeah, I guess. I have felt the presence of God. I don't think he has abandoned me. I believe he knows the bigger picture and there is surely a greater good out of this. Only he knows. The state of my faith is still strong and intact, however.
F- Fellowship. Do you Fellowship with other members of your religion? Would you want for that to be arranged?
I do fellowship with my wife, the rest of the family, and my friends. Each time they come here. My pastor also comes weekly. I have had a superb time with people in the presence of the Lord. I would like to be allowed to call them up here during non-visiting hours. There are times I feel I need to do that, especially in times of pain. They comfort me.
Part II: Analysis
The interview was an incredible success. All the required information was seamlessly elicited from the patient. The patient was very cordial and easygoing, regarding his critical condition. He gave accurate answers with sincerity. All the questions were replied to in depth and to full extent.
The patient exuded positive energy. Like more than 80% of Americans who consider religion as important, the patient has a firm religious belief (Saguil & Phelps, 2012). He was eager to be engaging in his discussion. Some kind attention was offered to the passionate patient, an essential feature during the assessment of patient needs.
The assessment was exhaustive of the analysis tool. All aspects and more, regarding spiritual assessment, were addressed and even supplemented with extra useful information. The well-structured preformatted question framework and the gregarious patient made the talk smooth.
There was a little problem of interruptions. It happened that the patient was receiving some medication during the interview, hence the meeting was interrupted. That was a fault in the scheduling of the evaluation which should be corrected next time. The timing is crucial to ensure the patient is at ease for them to answer the questions with minimal strain. Interruptions might make both the interviewer and the interviewee to lack undivided attention, a vital feature of a faultless interview.
The patient had just received opioid pain management medication during the evaluation, which had an effect on his sobriety. He seemed dazed at some points. The strong effect took a while to wear off before the patient could answer questions satisfactorily.
The tool is comprehensive to enquire about the details of the patient’s spirituality. The goal of it in nursing is to see how best to facilitate the patient's spiritual being. Statistical studies show that patients who embrace religion during illness stand a better chance of survival (King, Speck, & Thomas, 1999).
The developed is original. It is unique as it significantly goes beyond finding out the details of a patient’s spiritual life. It further seeks to see how the unmet needs can be solved. It is a useful tool towards enhancing a patient’s religious needs.
It, at the same time, shies off from prescribing religion. If the answer to the first question is no, the interviewer is supposed to end the interview. The personal beliefs of the interviewer are also expected to be left unspoken unless they are clearly aligned with the ones of the patient's. The last thing one would want is to start a distressing debate with a patient
The interviewer is advised to be cordial and despite being an almost passive part of the conversation, to pleasantly affirm the patient. The aim of the interview shall always remain being supportive of the patient to improve their emotional and psychological health from their spirituality, if any.
It is a common occurrence for human beings to be elevated to a spiritual plane when affronted by distress. That applies to patients, notably. They find comfort and explanation in religious practice. The same has also shown improved outcomes in the health of the patients (King, Speck, & Thomas, 1999). The patient in question admitted to reading the Bible since he needs God closer than ever before and also because he has more time to commune with his God.
References
King, M., Speck, P., & Thomas, A. (1999). The effect of spiritual beliefs on outcomes from illness. Social Science and Medicine, 1291-1299.
Saguil, A., & Phelps, K. (2012). The Spiritual Assessment. Am Fam Physician, 546-550.
Sharma, R. K., Astrow, A. B., Texeira, K., & Sulmasy, D. P. (2012). The Spiritual Needs Assesment for Patients (SNAP): Development and Validation of a Comprehensive Instrument to Asses Unmet Spiritual Needs. Journal of pain and symptom management, 44-51.
