Book focuses on spirituality of patients

Research into spirituality in Maltese patients carried out by Donia Baldacchino, a lecturer in nursing and coordinator of nursing research at the University of Malta's Institute of Health Care, indicates that patients' spiritual needs are given little attention by health care professionals.

The results of the research have now been published in a book by Dr Baldacchino.

The book "Spirituality in Illness and Care - X'jaf min ma Garrabx!" defines spirituality from the Maltese patients' experience and is the first of its kind in Malta.

The book voices patients' spiritual experiences during their illness and care. It consists of 15 chapters presenting research on the impact of illness, spiritual distress, the helpfulness of prayer and life satisfaction.

Dr Baldacchino said the book presented interesting findings of a comparative study among patients and qualified nurses, students, hospital and community chaplains regarding the role of the nurse in spiritual care.

The book also compiles research on how nursing can meet patients' spiritual needs by rehabilitation and spiritual care which is portrayed by six case studies on real patients.

'Spirituality in Illness and Care" is written in English with patients' quotations in Maltese. A shorter version of the book compiles the quotations in English.

The book, at Lm3.50 (75 cents for the short version), is sold from Preca Library, Blata l-Bajda and the author's office at the Institute of Health Care.