Fear of death : patients' perceptions of spiritual care during the acute phase of myocardial infarction

Abstract

The recovery time from myocardial infarction (MI) to the return to normal life is one of uncertainty and emotional turmoil for the patient and the relatives. Thus, patients facing acute MI, a sudden onset of life-threatening illness, tend to experience anxiety and depression due to fear of sudden death. This sudden onset may serve as a spiritual encounter to the patients whereby patients may reflect on their life, evaluating their rank of priorities in life. Additionally the patients may turn to spirituality as a coping mechanism. Levels of anxiety and depression can be reduced by effective coping skills such as positiveness towards life, including the use of spiritual coping strategies. The essence of spiritual care is being as opposed to doing (Piles 1990, Ross 1997, Turner 1996, Widerquist 1991). Thus the role of the nurse and the multidisciplinary team is to help the patient find meaning and purpose in life and have a positive outlook to life. The aim of this paper is to describe the experience of fear of death of a sample of 53 patients with first acute MI, together with their perceptions of the role of the nurse in the delivery of spiritual care. Recommendations to the nursing practice, hospital management, education and further research are included.