Research project by Lea Hocher

Title: Spirituality of employees in the oncological care center.

Brief description of context: Spirituality as a dimension of human life is receiving increasing attention in the current health care system, which corresponds to the expanded understanding of health of the World Health Organization (WHO) of 2005. Spiritual resources play an important role in coping with illness, especially at the end of life.

The importance of assessing patients' spiritual needs and incorporating them into the treatment process has long been supported by empirical studies.

But what about the staff who work with seriously ill people on a daily basis?

Can spiritual needs also be identified here, or even supported, and can this lead to greater job satisfaction? Can spirituality contribute to a better psychological, physical and spiritual processing of experiences with oncologically ill people?   

Question: Can the spiritual needs of employees in oncology be identified and promoted and do these needs contribute to a better job satisfaction and an increase in resilience?

Objective: To identify and strengthen the spiritual needs of employees in oncology and to develop a training and implementation concept on the topic of "spirituality in oncology".

Method: Cumulative dissertation

In the dissertation different scientific methods are applied. These include a systematic literature search according to Brandenburg, Panfil and Mayer. In addition, quantitative data will be collected by means of a standardized questionnaire.

The training of employees on the topic of spirituality according to the "Curriculum Spirituality" by Gratz and Roser is also a central component of the methodological approach.

A concept is being developed for the implementation of training courses on the topic of spirituality in other oncological care centers.

Content: Spirituality as a resource for employees in oncology.

Time frame: 3 years

Participating institutions/persons: MVZ Oncology Center Passau, German Oncology Network

Literature: Brandenburg, H.; Panfil, E-M.; Mayer, H.; Manzei, A.; Schnell, M.; Schnepp, W.; Simon, M.; (2013); Nursing Science 2: Textbook and workbook for the introduction to nursing research methods; 2.volständig überarbeitete Auflage; Hans Huber.

Gratz, M.; Roser, T.; (2016); Curriculum Spiritualität; für ehrenamtliche Hospizbegleiter; Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.