Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
The notion of spirituality/religious belief is recognized internationally as a domain within end-of-life care and is important in patients' and carers' quality-of-life. When faced with incurable illness, patients often become more philosophical about their life; many seek comfort in spiritual or religious philosophies. Our intention was to understand how personal spirituality and religious faith might help those living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease (ALS/MND) cope with their impending death.
METHOD:
Unsolicited narratives (internet and print-published) written by individuals diagnosed with the terminal condition of ALS/MND were analyzed thematically. Narratives from 161 individuals diagnosed with ALS/MND written over a period of 37 years (from 1968 to 2005) were included.
RESULTS:
Our findings reveal that religious faith sustains and helps people to avoid despair, and personal spirituality helps them make sense of what is happening to them.
SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS:
The use of personal narratives by people with ALS/MND has provided a vehicle for sharing their deepest spiritual and religious thoughts with others. The place of spirituality and religious faith within ALS/MND care should not be underestimated. Assessment of religious or spiritual needs should become a routine part of practice and is the responsibility of all members of the multidisciplinary team.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1603-1614 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Palliative Support Care |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 6 |
Early online date | 8 Apr 2015 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2015 |
Keywords
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease (ALS/MND)
- Coping
- Religious faith
- Spirituality
- Written narratives