Self-Preservation in Both Sides: Pathology of Spiritual Care in Iran

Abstract

The aim of this study was to create a deeper understanding of the variables that may restrain or progress spiritual care in Iran. This manuscript provides an in-depth description of barriers to delivering spiritual care by nurses as well as patients' compensatory mechanisms against deprivation from spiritual care termed "self-preservation in both sides" emerged from an empirical study. It brings issues such as structural, hierarchical, social and personal concerns, which may prevent advancing spirituality within health care, to light. Thirty-five participants, nurses (n = 10), patients (n = 22) and their relatives (n = 3), took part in this study, and data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis method. Being aware of these results may help nurses and healthcare professionals to engage with and overcome some of the structural, hierarchical and social variables affecting spiritual care.