Mapping the road for a new spiritual care policy: Identifying barriers and enhancing factors for providing spiritual care to cardiac patients

Abstract

This study is designed to explore barriers and solutions for providing spiritual care to hospitalized cardiac patients living in the Gaza Strip. A qualitative approach using a semi-structured interview format with 12 health care providers was used for data collection. Results revealed several barriers for providing spiritual care including inadequate preparation of staff, ambiguity of spirituality, lack of time, shortage of staff, policy barriers, and personal barriers. Participants suggested several strategies to overcome these barriers including policy innovation, organizational actions, educational and training preparation, and miscellaneous interventions.