Assessing spiritual well-being of Palestinian Cardiac Patients: A reflection for a new spiritual care policy

Abstract

Religious and spiritual beliefs are important factors that influence quality of life outcome of patients diagnosed with chronic diseases such as heart disease. Spirituality is an important component of overall well-being as it helps in reducing the levels of stress, depression and anxiety. The purpose of this study was to assess spiritual well-being of Palestinian cardiac patients admitted to coronary care units in Gaza Strip. A cross-sectional design was used in this study using the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS). A total of 275 patients who were diagnosed with a heart disease and admitted to coronary care units at Gaza Strip's hospitals participated in this study. Results revealed high scores of SWBS. Scores for the total SWBS was 101.58 (±9.49) while was 57.25 (±1.18) for Religious Well-Being (RWB) and 44.32 (±6.20) for Existential Well-Being EWB subscales subsequently. Results of this study revealed high scores of SWBS which should be considered by health care providers and health policy makers to adopt new spiritual care policy for cardiac patients and other patients diagnosed with other chronic diseases.