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Recognizing spiritual injury in cancer: A case study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 August 2021

Jessica I. Goldberg Open the ORCID record for Jessica I. Goldberg [Opens in a new window] ,
Laurie J. Andersen ,
Jill Bowden  and
Judith E. Nelson
Jessica I. Goldberg*
Affiliation:
Department of Nursing, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Laurie J. Andersen
Affiliation:
Department of Chaplaincy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Jill Bowden
Affiliation:
Department of Chaplaincy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Judith E. Nelson
Affiliation:
Department of and Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
*
Author for correspondence: Jessica I. Goldberg, 1275 York Avenue, Box 496, New York, NY 10065, USA. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background

Spiritual distress is a common symptom among patients with cancer. Spiritual injury (SI), a type of spiritual distress, occurs when there is a breakdown in the relationship between the individual and their higher power. Patients who experience spiritual injury may have poor health outcomes.

Methods

A case report of a woman with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer who had experienced a SI.

Results

The palliative care team, in collaboration with the palliative care chaplain, was able to recognize that the patient had experienced a SI. They were able to help the patient to process and reflect upon this experience and ultimately treat her suffering.

Significance of results

All palliative care providers should assess their patients’ spiritual health and monitor for the existence of SI.

Keywords

CancerCase reportSpiritual distressSpiritual injury
Type
Case Report
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 20 , Issue 1 , February 2022 , pp. 138 - 140
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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References

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