Clinical Validation of the Nursing Diagnosis Spiritual Distress in Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Abstract

Objective: Validate the nursing diagnosis spiritual distress in cancer patients.

Methods: Cross-sectional approach using Richard Fehring's Clinical Diagnostic Validity Model.

Findings: The prevalence of diagnosis was 40.8% in a sample of 170 patients. A total of 16 defining characteristics were validated. Expresses suffering had the highest sensitivity value and lack of meaning in life had the highest specificity value.

Conclusions: The diagnosis was validated. Cancer patients in spiritual distress are in a state of suffering related to lack of meaning in life.

Implications for practice: Sensitive diagnosis tools and language are required for nurses to make accurate judgments in situations of spiritual distress. Validation in different contexts would increase the clinical evidence of this diagnosis.

Keywords: Diagnóstico de Enfermagem; Enfermagem; Espiritualidade; Estudos de Validação; Nursing; nursing diagnosis; spirituality; validation study.