The duty of nurses to meet patients' spiritual and/or religious needs

Abstract

As part of giving holistic care, nurses have a duty to meet the spiritual, religious and cultural needs of patients. These aspects of care are clearly identified in the Nursing and Midwifery Council's standards for nurses. According to the latest Census, 76.8% of people claim to have a religion. It is recognized that while people may not have a religious affiliation, they may have spiritual needs. The article considers the concepts of spirituality and religions and the significance of meeting these needs from the patient's perspective. Research-based evidence demonstrates that patients' spiritual and/or religious needs are not always addressed by nurses. Barriers to giving spiritual/religious care are identified and spiritual assessment tools are considered.