Spirituality and support for family presence during invasive procedures and resuscitations in adults

Abstract

Background: Many health care professionals believe that they provide holistic care. The role of spirituality, a known variable of holism, has not been explored in relation to the support among health care professionals for family presence during invasive procedures and resuscitative efforts in adults.

Objective: To determine the relationship between spirituality of health care professionals and their support for family presence during invasive procedures and resuscitative efforts in adults.

Methods: In this descriptive correlational study, 108 participants (physicians, physician assistants, and nurses) completed the Howden Spirituality Assessment Scale and a survey to measure their support for family presence.

Results: A significant positive relationship was found between spirituality and support for family presence during resuscitative efforts in adults (r = 0.24, P = .05) and a significant negative correlation was found between support for family presence and the age of the health care professional (r = - 0.27, P = .01). No significant correlations were found between any of the study variables and invasive procedures in adults.

Conclusions: Adopting a more holistic perspective may support family presence, especially during resuscitative efforts in adults. Allowing the option for patients' families to remain present promotes holistic family-centered care.