Rehabilitation health professionals' perceptions of spirituality and spiritual care: The results of an online survey.

BACKGROUND

Spirituality has been positively associated with key adjustment indicators for individuals affected by traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the perceptions of health professionals working in rehabilitation in relation to spirituality and spiritual care practice.

METHODS

An observational study. An adapted version of the Royal College of Nursing Spirituality Survey was emailed to specialty networks of rehabilitation health professionals across Australia.

RESULTS

The majority of the 125 participants were female (92.8%), from a nursing (67.2%) background, and selected 'Christian' as their religious affiliation (68.8%). A range of spiritual needs for rehabilitation clients were identified, including a source of hope and strength. Although 84% agreed that spirituality was a fundamental aspect of healthcare, 85% agreed that staff did not receive enough education or training. Thematic analysis identified three key ways participants felt their workplaces could better address spirituality: increasing staff knowledge and skills in providing spiritual care, incorporating spirituality into rehabilitation processes, and providing patients with access to spiritual resources.

CONCLUSIONS

Spirituality is considered to play an important role after traumatic injury, but most staff do not feel well equipped to provide spiritual care. Training in spiritual care for rehabilitation professionals is warranted.