A Descriptive Qualitative Study of Religion and Spirituality's Role in Critical Illness Decision-Making Among Black and White Family Caregivers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Spiritual beliefs and spiritual support from clinicians can affect medical decision-making and coping during times of serious illness.

Research question

How do religion and spirituality affect the critical illness experience of Black and White family caregivers of patients who are critically ill?

Study design and methods

Twenty-one semistructured interviews were conducted with Black and White family caregivers of patients admitted to ICUs in a southeastern United States health system between January 3, 2023, and May 11, 2023. Eligible family caregivers either reported unmet spiritual needs or a high degree of importance of spirituality in their lives. Participants were asked how spirituality affected medical decision-making and coping while their loved ones

SUBMITTER: Akeke OF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11970621 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature