Advanced Nursing Theoretical Perspectives

QUESTION

The use of spirituality in nursing practice is not new.  Advanced Nursing Theoretical Perspectives. However, it is more studied and utilized in a more structured format in nursing.  Identify and discuss tools used to evaluate spirituality.

Please include 400 words in your initial post with two scholarly articles by Wednesday midnight and 200 words in two answers to your peers by Saturday midnight.

ANSWER

Tools for Evaluating Spirituality in Nursing Practice

Introduction: The recognition of spirituality as an essential aspect of holistic care has led to the development of tools and assessments to evaluate spirituality in nursing practice. These tools facilitate a structured approach to understanding patients’ spiritual needs and provide a foundation for integrating spirituality into healthcare interventions. This discussion will identify tools commonly used to evaluate spirituality in nursing practice.

1. FICA Spiritual History Tool: The FICA tool is a widely used and comprehensive spiritual assessment tool. It comprises four domains: Faith, Importance, Community, and Address. The tool prompts healthcare professionals to ask open-ended questions about the patient’s spiritual beliefs, the significance of spirituality in their life, the role of a religious community, and how they wish their spiritual needs to be addressed. The FICA tool provides a framework for exploring spirituality and tailoring care to meet individual needs.

Reference: Puchalski, C., Romer, A. L., & Mikhailov, E. (2020). FICA Spiritual History Tool. In Oxford Textbook of Spirituality in Healthcare (pp. 137-140). Oxford University Press.

1. Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS): The SWBS is a self-report questionnaire that measures spiritual well-being across two dimensions: spiritual and existential well-being. The religious well-being dimension assesses the individual’s relationship with a higher power, while the existential well-being dimension evaluates the sense of life purpose, meaning, and transcendence. The SWBS enables patients to reflect on their spiritual experiences and aids healthcare providers in understanding the patient’s spiritual strengths and challenges.

Reference: Paloutzian, R. F., & Ellison, C. W. (1982). Development and validation of a brief measure of religiousness and spirituality: The Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS). Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 42(6), 1167-1178.

1. HOPE Spiritual Assessment Tool: The HOPE tool is an acronym for the domains of spirituality it covers: sources of Hope, Organized religion, Personal spirituality/practices, and Effects on medical care. It guides healthcare professionals to explore the patient’s sources of hope, religious beliefs and practices, personal spiritual beliefs, and how these aspects intersect with their healthcare decisions. The tool provides a framework for holistic assessment and guides the development of appropriate interventions based on the patient’s spiritual needs.

Reference: Anandarajah, G., & Hight, E. (2001). Spirituality and medical practice: Using the HOPE questions as a practical tool for spiritual assessment. American Family Physician, 63(1), 81-88.

1. Spiritual Needs Questionnaire (SpNQ): The SpNQ is a self-report questionnaire designed to assess spiritual needs across four dimensions: Inner Peace, Meaning, Faith, and Connection. The tool explores the patient’s experiences and desires related to spirituality, providing insights into their emotional, existential, and relational well-being. The SpNQ assists healthcare providers in identifying spiritual distress and tailoring interventions to address specific spiritual needs.

Reference: Kruizinga, R., Hartog, I. D., & Jacobs, M. (2016). Development and initial testing of the spiritual needs questionnaire for palliative care patients: The SpNQ. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 51(5), 881-889.

Conclusion: Integrating spirituality into nursing practice has necessitated using tools and assessments to evaluate patients’ spiritual needs. The FICA Spiritual History Tool, Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS), HOPE Spiritual Assessment Tool, and Spiritual Needs Questionnaire (SpNQ) are commonly used instruments that guide healthcare professionals in understanding and addressing patients’ spirituality. These tools provide a structured approach to assess and respond to the spiritual dimensions of care, facilitating holistic and patient-centered nursing practice.

References:

• Puchalski, C., Romer, A. L., & Mikhailov, E. (2020). FICA Spiritual History Tool. In Oxford Textbook of Spirituality in Healthcare (pp. 137-140). Oxford University Press.
• Paloutzian, R. F., & Ellison, C. W. (1982). Development and validation of a brief measure of religiousness and spirituality: The Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS). Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 42(6), 1167-1178.
• Anandarajah, G., & Hight, E. (2001). Spirituality and medical practice: Using the HOPE questions as a practical tool for spiritual assessment. American Family Physician, 63(1), 81-88.
• Kruizinga, R., Hartog, I. D., & Jacobs, M. (2016). Development and initial testing of the spiritual needs questionnaire for palliative care patients: The SpNQ. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 51(5), 881-889.