Spiritual Care for Cancer

(PRaCTIS Trial)

This trial explores how spiritual care can assist people with advanced lung or gastrointestinal cancer. The study compares chaplain visits (chaplain intervention) to social worker visits to assess their impact on spiritual wellbeing, anxiety, depression, and overall satisfaction with care. Participants will meet weekly for four weeks with either a chaplain or a social worker. This trial may suit those diagnosed with advanced lung or gastrointestinal cancer who feel their spiritual wellbeing is low and are open to discussing their spiritual needs. As an unphased study, it offers a unique opportunity to explore personal spiritual care preferences and enhance overall wellbeing.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on spiritual care, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required, but you should confirm with the trial coordinators.

Research has shown that chaplain support can enhance patients' spiritual well-being. Studies with hospitalized patients have found that chaplain visits improve spiritual health. No evidence suggests any negative side effects from these visits. Chaplains provide spiritual care that can also enhance emotional and social well-being. Thus, chaplain visits are generally safe and well-received by patients.¹²³⁴⁵

Researchers are excited about the Chaplain Intervention for cancer patients because it offers a unique form of emotional and spiritual support that isn't typically included in standard cancer care, which often focuses on chemotherapy, radiation, and medication. Unlike typical treatments that target the physical aspects of cancer, this intervention emphasizes holistic well-being by addressing spiritual needs, potentially enhancing overall quality of life. This approach is particularly promising as it can be delivered flexibly in person, over the phone, or via video, making it accessible to more patients and adaptable to their preferences.

Research has shown that spiritual care, such as visits from a chaplain, can play a crucial role in cancer treatment. In this trial, participants in the Chaplain Intervention Group will receive visits from a board-certified or board-eligible chaplain. Studies have found that patients receiving spiritual support often experience improved spiritual well-being, feeling more at peace and having a stronger sense of purpose. Specifically, one study found that patients visited by a chaplain reported a better overall care experience. Spiritual care has also been linked to reduced anxiety and depression. These findings suggest that chaplain visits can support the mental and emotional health of cancer patients.⁶⁷⁸⁹¹⁰