Espiritualidade, religiosidade e coping de pessoas em cuidados paliativos domiciliares por doença oncológica à luz do referencial teórico de Jean Watson

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer is a chronic non-communicable disease on the rise worldwide and eligible for palliative care. When we understand that comprehensive nursing care is a necessity for cancer patients undergoing palliation, it becomes clear that the spiritual and religious dimension is essential in this process. The Unitary Caring Science proposed by Jean Watson can encompass people in oncological palliative care by recognizing, understanding and considering the spiritual dimension in the therapeutic process and in finitude. Objectives: to evaluate the religious/spiritual coping of patients undergoing cancer palliation in Home Care; describe meanings of E/R for people in oncology PCs; and understand spirituality and religiosity for people in palliative care due to oncological disease in the light of the Unitary Caring Science. Method: mixed method research with qualitative-quantitative approach of the convergent parallell design, developed in a public Home Care setting in Minas Gerais, in the year 2023. This study comprised 12 palliative oncology patients, and the number of participants is justified by issues relating to physical condition that interfered to the detriment of the interviews, since, being at the end of life, clinical complications and deaths preceded or occurred on the scheduled date. For data collection, a semi-structured script was applied concomitantly with the validated SRCOPE-14 scale. The data collection period took place from December 2023 to March 2024. Results: the average positive coping score was 3.56 and the negative coping score was 1.83, indicating the recurrent use of E/R in these circumstances, indicating closeness to God as a source of strength in the face of cancer and palliation. From the perspective of subjectivities, participants signify having help from faith, religion and beliefs to receive strength and support in difficult times; understand that it is important to thank God, in addition to praying to alleviate suffering, help to improve and even heal; believe in God so as not to think about bad things and have faith to get through. Conclusion: oncology patients undergoing palliative care for cancer believe that the spiritual and religious dimension are a fundamental part of the illness process and use E/R as coping strategies, in addition to promoting resilience. The use of two methodological approaches allowed us to conclude that positive coping is associated with a greater recognition of faith as a source of strength and support in the process of finitude. Jean Watson's Theory and the elements of the third paradigm (Caritas-Veritas process) are applicable to this group of patients and, when used by health professionals, they value uniqueness and alleviate suffering.