Graber D, Mitcham M, Keller A; Academy for Health Services Research and Health Policy. Meeting.

Abstr Acad Health Serv Res Health Policy Meet. 2002; 19: 5.

Medical University of South Carolina, 19 Hagood Avenue; Suite 408 - Harborview Tower, Charleston, SC 29412; Tel: (843) 792-9218; Fax: (843) 792-3327; E-mail: graberd@musc.edu

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: To compare the personal spirituality of clinicians identified as exemplary in caring and compassion to a national sample of Americans. STUDY DESIGN: Clinicians at two Charleston hospitals were identified by administrative and clinical managers as being exemplary in caring and compassion. 24 were interviewed and completed two spirituality scales developed by a Fetzer Foundation/NIA Task Group. The two scales are "Daily Spiritual Experiences" and "Meaning." These scales were administered to a sub-sample of individuals as part of the 1998 General Social Survey (GSS). Scale results were compared between the clinician group and the GSS subsample. Methods included the Chi-Square Test for Trend and the Mann-Whitney Test. POPULATION STUDIED: 24 clinicians working in Charleston hospitals. Clinicians included nurses, physicians, therapists, and other health care practitioners. Comparison group consisted of individuals completing two spirituality scales on the 1998 General Social Survey (n=1,445). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Our analysis identified several important differences between the GSS participants and the 24 clinicians identified as being exemplary in caring and compassion. However, both the clinicians and a considerable proportion of the national sample indicated that spirituality is highly important in their lives. Findings provide useful information on: how individuals find meaning and fulfillment in life, their expressed feelings of connection with God or a higher power, the degree of strength or comfort they find in their religion or spirituality, and other important dimensions of spirituality. CONCLUSIONS: Caring and compassionate clinicians in our sample find great personal meaning and fulfillment in their work. Typically, they feel considerable closeness to God and a higher power. Virtually all of the clinicians indicated that they enjoy their work in spite of considerable job demands. In fact, their spirituality or religion helps them to cope with difficulties and stresses in their work. IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY, DELIVERY OR PRACTICE: This study affirmed that spirituality, which has been largely unexamined in health care research, provides meaning and is a critical motivating factor among the most caring health care clinicians. Study results from the interviews and scales identified several common traits or perspectives among the caring clinicians. Results will serve as the foundation for continuing education programs in health care facilities that seek to provide compassionate care. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Foundations, Fetzer Foundation

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Communication
• Data Collection
• Empathy
• Hospitals
• Interviews as Topic
• Physicians
• Religion
• Spirituality
• Work
• psychology
• hsrmtgs

Other ID:

• GWHSR0002638

UI: 102274314

From Meeting Abstracts