Spiritual care provided by the nursing team to the person in palliation in intensive care

Cuidado espiritual proporcionado por el equipo de enfermería a la persona en paliación en cuidados intensivos

Objective:  To understand how the spiritual care provided by the nursing team to the person undergoing palliation in the Intensive Care Unit occurs.

Method:  Study with a qualitative approach, conducted in an Intensive Care Unit in Salvador, Bahia. Data collection took place through semi-structured interviews between January and May 2019. 14 nurses and 21 nursing technicians participated in the study. The data were submitted to Bardin Content Analysis and analyzed in the light of the Peaceful End of Life Theory.

Results:  Two categories emerged: 1. Spiritual care provided through words of optimism, encouragement of faith and prayer; 2. Care provided through attention to spiritual needs and assurance of comfort.

Final considerations:  Although empirically and not aware of the spiritual care provided, the nursing team offers support with words of optimism, faith, moments of prayer and contributes to the spiritual comfort of the person in palliation.

Keywords:
Nursing; Spirituality; Hospice care