Abstract:
Individuals are increasingly looking to spiritual traditions and philosophies for guidance, and comfort. Spirituality is a fundamental and potentially significant element of dying (Reed, 1987). There is a need to understand the human experience associated with terminal illness and dying. Nurses put a priority on physical and psychological needs due to the patients' condition and may not address spiritual needs. It is important to know how terminally ill patients perceive spirituality, and whether spiritual needs are met. The purpose of this descriptive study is to identify perceptions of spiritual needs of terminally ill patients and to determine if those needs are being met. This is a replication study of Reed's (1987) study on spirituality and terminally ill patients. The Framework of Systemic Organization (Friedemann, 1995) provides rational for the study. A sample of 100 terminally ill patients will be invited to participate from oncology and hospice units of three local hospitals in Indianapolis, IN. The Spiritual Perspective Scale (SPS) will be used to collect data. All information will be confidential and patients' rights will be protected throughout the study. Understanding the spiritual needs of terminally ill patients is critical to holistic nursing care.