The aim of this study was to compare attitude of the last-year nursing and medical students studying at Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran about spiritual care

Background

The spirituality is a complex and multidimensional concepts including cognitive, behavioral and experimental aspects. For promoting spiritual care we have to consider the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of the human. The studies showed that many patients believe that spirituality plays an important role in their life they believe there is a positive relationship between their recovery and religious and spiritual aspects. Many patients expect health care personnel consider these factors

Method

A descriptive comparative design was used to conduct the study. “Spiritual care perspective scale” (SCPS) was completed by 110 nursing and 220 medical students. Data were analysed by SPSS.

Findings

Based on the findings, 56% of nursing students and 51.8% of medical students have positive attitude on the spiritual care of patients. There was no statistically significant difference between attitudes of the two groups of students. Nursing students had more favorable attitude about existing a superior force or transcendental existence influencing spiritual health. Medical students had more favorable attitudes about considering spiritual care as part of the caring performance.

Conclusion