L’esperienza spirituale dei professionisti della salute in contesti di emergenza dopo un corso di spiritualità. Uno studio longitudinale qualitativo

In emergency clinical settings, health professionals can be overwhelmed, and the practical care provision might be hindered. Literature underlines the need for specific skills to develop education in emergency and critical care settings focused on health professionals’ spiritual competence. Prospective longitudinal qualitative research was carried out to evaluate a training format on spirituality. 25 semi-structured interviews to health professionals working in emergency and critical care settings, were performed before and after a delivered webinar on spirituality. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis. Results confirmed a shift in meaning in four central themes defined as: (1) definition of spirituality in personal experience; (2) how to recognize one’s own spirituality and that of others; (3) the personal and professional development of one’s own spirituality; (4) expectations on the training course of spirituality. Findings underline changing point of view on spirituality experience through an increased self-awareness. A compassionate connection with oneself, others, nature, and spiritual practices led to a spiritual grow. The course enabled to identify specific training needs in emergency settings. Health professionals require tools to expand the personal spiritual skill during clinical healthcare approach. Research should be integrated with multiple time sessions reflecting the integrated training format of multiple theoretical and experiential elements, discussion groups and longer-term training.