Interview analysis of patient experience and perspectives

Interview Transcript

Would you describe yourself as a spiritual person, a religious person, or neither?

I would not describe myself as a spiritual person, but I am open-minded. I do not typically talk about my religion or my beliefs. I respect other people's beliefs. Some people call me agnostic, but I don't care for labels. I did not come from a religious family.

Do your spiritual beliefs and practices reflect that of your family, background, or community, or are your beliefs different from those of your loved ones?

My spiritual beliefs are similar to those of my friends and family members because I do not know many people who are overtly religious.

Do you pray or meditate? How often, and how do these practices fit into your life?

I have learned how to meditate, but I do not necessarily consider this a spiritual practice. I meditate to calm my mind and gain control over my emotions. If there is a spiritual component to this practice, then I have yet to experience it in this way. I try to meditate every morning, but it ends up being more like five times per week.

Q4: Do you believe spirituality and faith have a role to play in your health care? If so, what role would you like for it to play?

I am open to understanding how a spiritual approach to health and healing can help me in the future, but I believe more in the power of science when it comes to medicine. In general, I do not need people talking about God or prayer with me, and would prefer that my nurses and doctors simply focus on medical issues. If prayer works for some people, that is great, but it would make me uncomfortable if a nurse or doctor wanted to pray with me.

Q5: Do you attend a church, synagogue, mosque, or other faith-based community organization? If so, how often?

No, I do not attend any religious organizations except occasionally as a tourist or visitor.

Q6: What are your beliefs about death and the afterlife?

A6: Interesting question. I really don't know. I would not mind it if there was complete nothingness. The idea that nothing happens after we die is ok with me, I do not find that thought as scary as some people.

Part Two: Analysis

The person I interviewed was fifty years old, a professional, and from a mixed ethnic background. The person was as interested to know why I was asking them these questions as I was to hear her answers. The interview went well, and there was no discomfort or tension. I wanted to ask more questions related to spirituality, but was constrained by time. The most interesting thing about this interview was the fact that I spoke with a person who was not religious, and whose answers reveal the great diversity of thought regarding spiritual matters. When working with patients, it is important to understand that many will be secular humanists and not interested at all in religion. Some will be atheist, and may even be offended if health care workers interject religion into their treatment. Based on the results of this interview, I would suggest to healthcare workers that they conduct a spiritual assessment early in the care process, to ascertain the person's preferences, values, and needs. Health care workers risk creating unnecessary tension in their relationships with patients when they presume religiosity. The spiritual assessment is a valuable tool that can help health care workers build trust and rapport with patients.

The only challenge that arose during the assessment was the fact that the person I interviewed was not religious and therefore could not answer in much detail some of the questions I initially had thought to ask. She is an open-minded person, and does not have the kinds of crystallized beliefs that are common in religious patients, such as those who refer to scripture.

I have asked other patients, friends, and family members about religion before, and their answers were all different. My experience shows that there is great diversity in religious (or non-religious) outlooks on life. Health care for many people is a material matter, and not something that has a spiritual component. Some people I have assessed have a lot to say about their religion, their church, and their Bible readings. Others were more reticent. The person in this interview was willing and even eager to talk, but did not have a faith-based orientation.