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Survey of 265 cancer patients at Rambam Medical Center in Israel shows varying openness to spiritual care, influenced by factors like spirituality, frequency of social visits, and previous spiritual encounters. Results highlight importance of individual beliefs and experiences in shaping attitudes.
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A Survey of Israeli Cancer Patients’ Attitudes Toward Spiritual Care Mike Schultz Chaplain, Rambam Medical Center
Method • Questionnaire: composite of questionnaires developed by VandeCreek, Kernohan, and Flannelly • Distributed to cancer patients • 265 completed questionnaires from respondents who were 53% female; 52% age>60; 80% Jewish.
Results • “How open do you think you would be to a visit from the spiritual caregiver?” • 42.2% of patients were positively inclined • 32.1% were uninterested in receiving the service
Factors contributing to a positive response • Self-identifying as “very spiritual” (60%, p<0.001) or “somewhat spiritual” (46%, p<0.001) vs“not spiritual” (12%). • Hospitalized patients who received visits from family and friends once weekly or less were interested in spiritual care (73%), compared to those receiving daily visits (41%, p=0.008).
Factors contributing to a positive response • A previous encounter with the spiritual caregiver nearly tripled interest (66.7%, p=0.002). • Self-identifying as “religious” (57%), as opposed to traditional (43%) or secular (36%).