E. N. Palmer Kelly1, B. A. Fischer3, A. E. Onuma2, K. J. Deans3, T. M. Pawlik2 1Ohio State University,Comprehensive Cancer Center,Columbus, OH, USA 2The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center,Surgery,Columbus, OH, USA 3Nationwide Children’s Hospital,Center For Surgical Outcomes Research,Columbus, OH, USA
Introduction: The availability of spiritual/faith resources during cancer treatment may positively impact patient outcomes, feelings of wellbeing, and be important components of holistic, patient-centered care. We sought to characterize the perspectives of cancer patients on the role of spirituality and faith in order to better define the desired access to related resources during cancer care.
Methods: The listserv ResearchMatch was utilized to survey a convenience sample of adult cancer patients electronically. Demographic data were collected and information on spirituality/faith was assessed using quantitative tools such as FACIT-SP, Meaning of Cancer Subscale (IOC), and select items from the AYA HOPE survey. The bidirectional influence between cancer and spirituality/faith, including access to related resources, were assessed using open-ended questions. Analyses included descriptive statistics and content analysis.
Results: Among the 116 respondents, cancer diagnoses included breast (n=39), prostate (n=17), thyroid (n=10), gastrointestinal (n=8), and other (n=29). Surgery was the most common treatment modality (n=77) followed by radiation (n=54) and chemotherapy (n=52). Overall, 72% of respondents (n=100) self-identified with a religion (Christian/Protestant: n=49, 49%; Christian/Catholic: n=19, 19%; Judaism: n=8, 9% other: n=7, 7%) and 13 (13%) identified as Agnostic. Roughly one-half of patients (48%) reported that their cancer diagnosis had an impact on their spiritual/religious beliefs, noting that cancer deepened (n=19, 40%) more often than weakened (n=9, 19%) their beliefs. Participants were asked to rank-order who they would want to speak to about their spirituality/faith. Rather than a member of the healthcare team, the first preference was a family or friend (n=39, 48%), followed by hospital chaplain (n=12, 15%) or personal spiritual advisor (n=11, 13%). Content analysis identified a subset of patients who expressed a desire to have the healthcare team introduce the topic of spirituality/faith (n=13, 20%); however, more patients did not see this as part of the healthcare team’s role (n=24, 38%). Rather, participant responses suggested that utilized spirituality/faith resources were mostly personal (e.g., their pastor, family, books; n=17; 37%) rather than a resource provided by the medical center (e.g., chaplaincy; n=7, 16%).
Conclusion:Spirituality/faith can be an important need for some cancer patients as one-half of respondents expressed a relationship between the cancer diagnosis and their spiritual/religious beliefs. However, most patients desired to talk about spirituality/faith with a family or friend instead of a member of the healthcare team. These data can help inform future research aimed at addressing patient-centered spirituality/faith needs of cancer patients.