Paper
Friday, July 13, 2007
This presentation is part of : Chronic Care Strategies
Spiritual Well-Being among Spinal Cord Injured Patients
Lucy B. Trice, PhD, ARNP, BC, Pamela S. Chally, PhD, RN, and Julia A. Watkins, PhD, MPH, RRT. Brooks College of Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
Learning Objective #1: explore themes related to spiritual well-being among spinal cord injured patients.
Learning Objective #2: identify a strategy for facilitating spiritual well-being among spinal cord injured patients.

Spiritual Well-Being among Spinal Cord Injured Patients

            The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore the role of spirituality in the recovery of patients with a spinal cord injury. Individual interviews were done with six participants who were patients at a regional rehabilitation hospital in the southeastern region of the United States. Each participant was asked to define spiritual well-being and describe as fully as possible a personal experience of spiritual well-being. They were also asked to reflect on their in-patient experience and identify anything that might have assisted them in achieving spiritual well-being and whether or not their own spirituality had changed since their spinal cord injury. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis of each interview was conducted by all three researchers. A major theme identified in all transcripts was the importance of a sense of belonging. This was brought out in references to relationships with family, friends, and therapists at the hospital, as well as with fellow patients who had similar injuries. Secondary themes were also identified including a sense of something greater than self; the importance of maintaining a positive, “can-do” attitude; and the notion of “moving on with one’s life.” Outcomes include the importance of psych-social and spiritual support and creating opportunities to develop such a support system. The results of this study will be translated into practice through initiation of an “after-care” program for spinal cord injured patients following their release from the rehabilitation facility. The program will be designed to provide on-going psychosocial spiritual support, as well as practical suggestions for dealing with “life after spinal cord injury.” An integral part of the program will be sharing “trials and triumphs” in dealing with the everyday tasks of living with spinal cord injury.