Psycho-Spiritual Challenges Faced by Palliative Health Care Providers in Bangladesh: A Multicenter-Based Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background

Palliative care providers play a crucial role in supporting patients with life-limiting illnesses by emphasizing the alleviation of suffering and enhancing quality of life. The intrinsic nature of palliative care, which often involves confronting death and dying, places considerable emotional and spiritual demands on caregivers. Psycho-spirituality, an integration of psychological well-being and spiritual dimensions, is vital for these providers to maintain their mental health and provide holistic care to their patients. Despite its importance, empirical studies focusing on the psycho-spiritual experiences of palliative care providers are limited.

Method

This multicenter-based, descriptive cross-sectional study aims to explore the psycho-spiritual challenges faced by palliative care providers. Data was collected from 160 licensed healthcare providers, through face-to-face semi-structured interviews conducted from August to September 2022.

Result

The results indicate that younger healthcare providers (aged 20–39) report higher psychological stress compared to their older counterparts (p = 0.029). Males exhibited slightly higher stress levels than females (p = 0.036), and divorced individuals reported the highest stress levels (p = 0.01). Educational qualification (p = 0.017), and income levels (p = 0.001) showed significant correlations with spiritual status with higher educational attainment and income associated with better spiritual well-being. Doctors experienced higher psychological stress (p = 0.004) but also reported higher spiritual status compared to nurses and other healthcare workers.

Conclusion

The findings depict significant associations between sociodemographic factors and the psychospiritual well-being of healthcare providers. Understanding these associations is crucial for developing targeted interventions to support the well-being of palliative care providers, ultimately leading to better patient care outcomes. Future research should focus on expanding the scope.