Religious Practices in Palliative Care: Findings from a Tanzanian Study

Introduction

Spiritual care is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of palliative care, particularly in low-resource settings. My recent study at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) in Tanzania explored how religious practices impact the quality of life for palliative care patients. The findings highlight the importance of integrating structured spiritual care into clinical practice to improve patient well-being.

Research Overview

• Who was involved? 150 palliative inpatients at ORCI, one of Tanzania’s leading cancer treatment centres.
• What was studied? The role of religious practices in providing comfort, resilience, and emotional support to patients with life-limiting illnesses.
• Why is this important? Many patients rely on faith for strength, yet spiritual care remains inconsistently provided in medical settings.
• When and where was the study conducted? Data was collected between 7/10/24 to 23/10/24 at ORCI, Tanzania.
• How was it done? A mixed-methods approach, including surveys and interviews with patients, to assess their spiritual needs and experiences.

Key Findings

The study revealed that:

• 90% of patients expressed a strong need for religious support, with prayer being the most common practice.
• Patients who engaged in religious activities reported a better sense of well-being despite their condition.
• Christianity and Islam were the dominant faiths among participants, but spiritual needs varied, highlighting the need for personalized spiritual support.
• Despite a high demand for spiritual care, access to religious guidance was limited, emphasizing the gap in holistic patient support.

Practical Implications

To bridge the gap between spiritual needs and palliative care services, healthcare institutions should:

1. Formalize Spiritual Care Policies – Hospitals should incorporate religious support into patient care plans.
2. Enhance Chaplaincy Services – Employ trained spiritual care providers to offer structured support.
3. Train Healthcare Workers – Include modules on spiritual care in medical and nursing curricula.
4. Encourage Interdisciplinary Collaboration – Integrate chaplains, counselors, and religious leaders into palliative care teams.
5. Develop Patient-Centred Approaches – Provide individualised religious accommodations based on patient preferences.

Global Relevance

While this study focuses on Tanzania, the need for spiritual care in palliative settings is a global issue. Research from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Asia confirms that faith plays a universal role in end-of-life care. Strengthening spiritual care services worldwide can improve holistic patient care and dignity.

Conclusion

Palliative care should extend beyond medical treatment to embrace spiritual and emotional well-being. Recognizing and addressing religious needs can enhance dignity, peace, and quality of life for patients. This study underscores the urgent need for policy changes, institutional commitment, and interdisciplinary collaboration to integrate spiritual care into global palliative services.