Paliatívna medicína a liečba bolesti 2e/2019

Spiritual care for a patient with incurable disease – is a physician´s interest necessary?

Spirituality belongs to basic element of human being. Spirituality, faith and religion could influence decision of the patients about hospice care – get it or not, could influence a communication of stopping anticancer treatment. Health care profesionals should have an ability to asses patients spiritual needs. It is the psychological, existentional and spiritual suffering that is more visible when we could relieve physical suffering. Relieving of spiritual suffering influence quality of life of patients with incurable diseases (1). Respect to the patients spiritual concepts in terms of their decision making capacity could significantly enhance patients autonomy.

Keywords: spirituality, oncologic patients, quality of life