Spiritual issues,beliefs,needs,and resources in palliative healthcare providers: An Italian qualitative study

Abstract

The significance of spirituality in navigating the meaning of illness and death has been well-established. However, healthcare professionals working with palliation also grapple with their own spiritual dimensions when confronted with these circumstances. This study aimed to explore spirituality from a subjective standpoint among a sample of palliative care professionals, investigating its role and associated needs. For the first time, the FICA Spiritual History Tool was applied in a focus group setting. The meetings were transcribed, and thematic analysis was performed. The findings underscore how spirituality is perceived as more relational than transcendent, potentially fostering connections between the self, patients, and colleagues, thereby enhancing resilience. Simultaneously, spirituality needs to be considered as a potential source of suffering that could impact both the quality of life and work of healthcare workers involved. This issue should be addressed through dedicated moments of shared reprocessing, with beneficial implications for public health.