(82) Spiritual Care of a Chronic Disease Chinese Patient - A Case Study

Ms. Miranda Mei-Mui LEUNG¹, Ms. Molin Kwok-Yin LIN^2
1Hong Kong Society of Children's Palliative Care, Hong Kong SAR, ²Children's Palliative Care Foundation, Hong Kong SAR

Background
The case in this study has a dual role as a chronic disease patient and a carer of the family, taking care of a little brother suffering from Cerebral Palsy and a bed-ridden mother post-stroke for 7-8 years. She has been under great pressure during her repeated operations, pulmonary tuberculosis and current severe low back pain. Besides, her parents and two brothers died successively and naturally. The loss of individual beloved family members affected her greatly including sense of guilt, sudden loss from attachment and lack of motivation.

This case study aims to explore how the complex case overcame those sufferings and made herself feeling good. Eventually, a framework of spiritual needs was identified through the patient’s sharing of her forty to fifty years’ experience on encountering with healthcare professionals.

Method
A case study with three in-depth and three short interviews with the chronic disease patient using a self-designed question guide. The interview was recorded, transcribed, reviewed and further clarified the meaning with the patient for data collection.

Findings
Results showed the need of spiritual care was essential to patient who was suffering from a complex disease. A spiritual needs framework was identified: connection, inner peace, self-identity, existential and religious needs. Although the patient felt being hurt by some healthcare professionals, she overcame it through addressing her spiritual needs by self-determination or supported by others. Finally, she felt good of herself and enjoyed being a breadwinner instead of a burden to the family.

Conclusion
The spiritual care could be self-directed or supported by others. Healthcare professionals should do no harm to the patient. However, the study reflected that the patient felt a distance between herself and some healthcare professionals - lacking of therapeutic communication and mutual rapport. Appropriate spiritual care to patients would make a difference.

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