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Navigating Complexity: Spiritual Care Discourses Among Swedish Palliative Care Professionals

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Through discourse analysis of focus groups, this study investigates how palliative care professionals in Sweden engage with "spiritual care," "religion" and "spirituality." Our results reveal a common assumption that religion is "visible," but at the same time private. Furthermore, we observed a secular and nonreligious positioning, marked by frequent "us versus them" rhetoric, especially in discussions about truth telling. The findings illustrate a view of belonging to a secular society in which a discourse of static understanding of religion dominated, indicating a vague religious literacy. This study indicates a need among healthcare professionals to discern, understand and relate to non-visible forms of religion.

Source: Journal of Religion and Health

DOI: 10.1007/s10943-024-02106-4

Authors: Emma Lundberg, Anneli Ozanne, Lisen Dellenborg, Joakim Öhlén, Daniel Enstedt

Institutions: University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland

Language: English

Topic: Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,190

Funders: Göteborgs Universitet, Sahlgrenska Akademin