Spiritual well-being of people from ethnic backgrounds at end-of-life.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring spiritual care and the use of a measure of spiritual well-being with people from ethnic minority communities living with a terminal illness.
IRAS ID
314384
Contact name
Paul Higgs
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London Joint Research Office
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Spiritual care is important to patients at the end of life. However, spiritual care is not always well provided, People from minority ethnic groups do not receive adequate palliative care, in all its aspects, including the spiritual dimension.Little is known on the extent of how spiritual care is provided, particularly for people from minority ethnic backgrounds.It is important to address these issues in order to provide equal level of care for underrepresented groups living with life-limiting illnesses.
This study aims to explore the spiritual well-being of people from minority ethnic communities living with a life-limiting illness. The study will use qualitative methods, including the EORTC QLQ-SWB32 (SWB32) measure of spiritual well-being to initiate discussions, and observation of routine care in several settings to frame responses. The study will be conducted in collaboration with three organisations providing care for people with life-limiting conditions in North East, North, and South East London. The project will recruit participants from minority ethnic communities via some or all of these organisations. The use and suitability of the SWB32 will be considered with participants, using semi-structured interviews to investigate using the measure for initiating discussions around their spiritual well-being, and ethnographic techniques to explore the wider context and situations in which they are living and receiving care. The results of this research will provide insights into the spiritual care and well-being of ethnic minority patients. Such insights might assist in improving caregiving, and patient outcomes.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
22/NS/0133
Date of REC Opinion
23 Nov 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion