Spiritual Needs: What Do Patients' Say?
Jean Stallwood-Hess, BSN, MSN

Nursing literature indicated the influence of persons' spiritual needs upon present states of wellness or illness. However, literature surveyed lacked information about persons’ perceptions of spiritual needs when hospitalized. Nurses' Christian Fellowship sponsored a survey utilizing twelve nurses interviewing 109 patients in various parts of the United States. Four questions were utilized indicating awareness of a spiritual need; ability to describe the need; with whom the need was discussed; if the need had been met or was still present.

60 women, 49 men ranging in age 18-90 yrs were the sampling. 80% of the population were 40 plus years in age. Results indicated women were more aware of spiritual needs and able to describe them than men; more women than men felt discussion was helpful and that spiritual needs were met. The five most common spiritual needs described by women and men are identified. Among the conclusions and recommendations are: 1) most of the spiritual needs expressed could be addressed or facilitated by a spiritually empathetic nurse; 2) nurses should be sensitive to the patient who believes that spiritual care is not the nurse's role and to the patient who desires no help at all.