Spirituality ranks high in patients’ quality of life

According to a survey of hospice patients, spiritual well-being ranked as a significant part of their quality of life.

The longitudinal study of home care hospice patients sought to quantify the relationship between spirituality and health in a scientific way that would be meaningful to physicians and other health care professionals. The results of the study were published in a recent issue of the Hospice Journal.¹

On a scale of 1 to 4, patients’ spiritual well-being average score was 2.6, which was behind social well-being (3.3); above physical well-being (2.2); and above overall quality of life (2.4). From the sample, however, no conclusions could be reached concerning the effects of spiritual care interventions over time. Instead, the study provides a snapshot of hospice patients’ spiritual well-being in the context of overall quality of life.

Economic sense

To test the hypothesis that "spiritual well-being is a major component of hospice patients’ overall feeling of well-being," the researcher hand-delivered questionnaires to home care hospice patients admitted over a four-month period. The questionnaire was also given to the patient at intervals of one month, three months, and six months after admission to hospice. Of 73 patients, 16 (22%) returned 23 questionnaires: 10 retuned one, five returned two; and one returned three.

Also, the author notes that pastoral care may be a direct cost to the hospice but not to the insurer. Therefore, if further study shows that an increased sense of well-being translates into reduced requirements for other more expensive — and billable — services, providing pastoral care may make good business sense for the hospice.

Reference

1. Thomson JE. The place of spiritual well-being in hospice patients’ overall quality of life. The Hospice Journal 2000; 15:13-27.