Spiritual dimension at the end of life - Part 1

Spirituality is a key aspect that affects our quality of life and death, and within the health system, it is in Palliative Care where there has been a special sensitivity to the spiritual dimension. In the 90s, more importance began to be given to the spiritual aspects of the sick because it was appreciated that many people resort to their spiritual beliefs when faced with serious illnesses and for this reason they began to investigate and found that chronic and palliative patients had the expectation and desire that their doctors be interested in its spiritual dimension and that spirituality be included as part of care. Since then, there have been many publications and evidence on the benefit and value of psychological support and spiritual well-being in the adaptation to serious illnesses, showing that patients cared for in their spiritual needs have greater adaptation and better control of physical and psychological symptoms. , and a better quality of life regardless of the perception of the severity of the disease. And there is also plenty of data on the negative impact spiritual suffering has on health and symptoms such as pain and depression. This relationship has been specifically demonstrated in cancer patients and in palliative care settings.