Nurses Christian Fellowship NZ monthly news bulletin
Friday 2nd November 2018
Spirituality
Spiritual Distress in Cancer Patients: A Synthesis of Qualitative Studies
Religions 2018, 9(10), 285
Cancer affects individuals in all human dimensions. Cancer patients are more susceptible to spiritual distress. Several studies have addressed spiritual distress using quantitative designs; however, a qualitative approach to the experience of spiritual distress could provide a deeper understanding of the phenomenon. This study aims to synthesis the experience of spiritual distress as lived by cancer patients in qualitative primary studies. This is a literature review based on electronic databases search. A total of 4075 citations was identified and 23 studies were included. The most frequent qualitative research method was phenomenology (n = 15), and interviews were the main data collection method (n = 20). Two major themes have been identified related to the experience of spiritual distress: suffering and coping. Spiritual distress is an intimate, deep and suffering experience in life, which requires coping strategies and involves spiritual values and beliefs. Healthcare providers should be aware of this experience and recognize spiritual distress in cancer patients, as it is critical in providing holistic nursing care. View Full-Text
Difficult Conversations: Dealing with the Spiritual Needs of Patients with Cancer
A cancer diagnosis can leave your patient with many questions. Sitting in a hospital room or infusion center for long hours might give them time to reflect on their diagnosis, life, and place in the universe. They may turn to you for support and answers as they meditate on their mortality. Is there a place for spiritual care in oncology nursing?
Compassion and empathy
Opinion: Nathan Consedine & Tony Fernando – Compassion is more than an ‘optional extra’
Compassion fatigue is real but compassion really does matter in health, argues an Auckland psychologist and a psychiatrist. Not only for patients but also the health professionals delivering their care.
Say it while you can! Kindness is a good response to poor mental health
This summer, I was faced with the tragic news that a friend had died, suddenly and unexpectedly. It would be fair to say the cause of death was a combination of depression, isolation, and a crushing of dreams.
My grief was such that, in the midst of the sunny and beautiful scenery of rural France, there was always a cloud that hung just out of sight, a melancholy sadness in my emotional peripheral vision, in amongst family fun.
Ethical issues
Law Commission proposes repealing criminal offences for abortions
The Law Commission has outlined abortion law reforms that would remove abortion from the Crimes Act and repeal the need for two doctors to authorise the procedure.
Alternative approaches to abortion law: ministerial briefing paper
This ministerial briefing paper provides advice to the Minister of Justice on alternative approaches that could be taken in New Zealand’s abortion laws if the Government decides to treat abortion as a health issue. It describes three alternative legal models:
Study examines aspects of conscientious objection among nurses
One-on-one interviews with eight nurses in Ontario revealed that nurses making conscientious objections to ethically-relevant policies lack concrete supports and need protection in healthcare practice settings.
Social issues and reports (Salvation Army, Caritas etc)
This article is not freely available but may be located using the databases available to readers via a DHB or tertiary institute library
Homeless No More: A Christ-Centered, Comprehensive Homeless RecoveryProgram
Caldwell, Robin; Meraz, Rebecca; Sweeney, Reverend Robert
Journal of Christian Nursing: October/December 2018 – Volume 35 – Issue 4 – p 228–233
ABSTRACT: Caring for vulnerable and marginalized populations is a central tenet of professional nursing, and of Christian service. Due to the scope and complexities of problems associated with homelessness, nurses may feel overwhelmed and ill-equipped to serve homeless individuals. Strategies for ending homelessness largely include resource-intensive, publicly supported housing and comprehensive physical and mental health services. The role of spirituality in recovery from homelessness has not been widely examined. This article describes one homeless shelter’s successful Christ-centered, comprehensive approach to helping individuals recover from homelessness. The integral role of the nurse in the multidisciplinary team and practical nursing interventions are described.
Pastoral/community health care (incl church based health programmes)
Church-based programs may help bring blood pressure down
(Reuters Health) – Lifestyle interventions delivered in churches by community-based health care workers may help bring down blood pressure among African-Americans, a new study finds.
Christian Churches and their contributions to good mental health: A discussion paper
Ahead of a inter-denominational national roundtable with the Catholic Mental Health Project, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales have produced a paper to stimulate discussions of Christian churches and their contributions to mental health. The paper has been produced by Prof. Jim McManus, Director of Public Health for Hertfordshire, and can be downloaded here.
Cultural safety
This article is not freely available but may be located using the databases available to readers via a DHB or tertiary institute library
Providing Culturally Sensitive Care for Islamic Patients and Families
Blankinship, Lisa, Ann
Journal of Christian Nursing: April/June 2018 – Volume 35 – Issue 2 – p 94–99
Nurses can expect to care for patients from different cultures and faith traditions and need to develop cultural competence. This article describes what is important in providing culturally and religiously sensitive care to Muslim and Middle Eastern patients. The Crescent of Care Model by Lovering is offered to aid understanding of five key areas of culturally competent care. Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) offers guidance for Christian nurses caring for those in need.
Articles of interest
Promoting Successful Aging Through Faith Community Nursing
Hixson, Lina B.; Loeb, Susan J.
Journal of Christian Nursing: October/December 2018 – Volume 35 – Issue 4 – p 242–249
ABSTRACT: Promotion of successful aging is imperative for the growing population of U.S. adults 65 and older, who will outnumber those 18 and under by 2035. Faith community nurses (FCNs) provide interventions targeting health promotion and disease prevention, with a focus on faith and health. This study examined the most frequently documented interventions and attended services provided to older adults by FCNs. A secondary analysis of data from the web-based Henry Ford Macomb Hospital Faith Community Nursing/Health Ministries Documentation and Reporting System reveals how FCNs are contributing to successful aging.
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