What the study found
The study found that oncology nurses in Saudi Arabia understood spiritual care as an integrated part of everyday nursing, rather than as separate religious activities. They described it as rooted in Islamic moral and spiritual values and linked it with compassionate presence, ethical mediation, family facilitation, and meaning-centered communication.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that the findings support the need for culturally responsive spiritual care education and institutional frameworks. They suggest these should recognize spiritual care as a core professional nursing competency within Islamic healthcare settings.
What the researchers tested
The researchers used a descriptive phenomenological design, which is a qualitative approach for studying lived experience, and analyzed interviews with Colaizzi's method. They conducted in-depth interviews with 22 registered oncology nurses working in three cancer centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
What worked and what didn't
Five themes emerged: spiritual care through an Islamic lens; the sacred dimensions of nursing practice; navigating professional and religious boundaries; family-centered spiritual support; and nurses' personal spiritual resources and challenges. Nurses often experienced spiritual care as a form of worship, or ibādah, and described it as part of their professional role.
What to keep in mind
The study is based on interviews with 22 nurses from three cancer centers in Riyadh, so its scope is limited to that context. The abstract does not describe additional limitations.
Key points
- Nurses described spiritual care as an integrated part of everyday oncology nursing.
- Spiritual care was linked to Islamic moral and spiritual values.
- The study identified five themes, including professional boundaries and family-centered support.
- Nurses often viewed spiritual care as a form of worship (ibādah).
- The authors call for culturally responsive education and institutional support.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Oncology nurses framed spiritual care as part of everyday practice
- Authors:
- Waleed M. Alshehri, Asrar Almutairi, Rayhanah R. Almutairi, Abdulaziz M. Alodhailah, Wjdan Almutairi, Ashwaq A. Almutairi, Thurayya Eid
- Institutions:
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Saud Medical City, King Saud Medical City, King Saud Medical City, King Saud University, King Saud University, King Saud University, Monash Health, Monash Health, Monash University, Monash University, National Guard Health Affairs, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University
- Publication date:
- 2026-01-21
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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