The Role of Religion as Spiritual Support
in Palliative Care in Indonesia
Raissa Virgy Rianda1,2, Fahmi Aulia Rizqi1,3, Yusuf Ibrahim1,4
Rama Azalix Rianda1, Agus Ali Fauzi5
5Palliative and Pain-free RSUD. Dr. Soetomo, Surabaya, Indonesia
Introduction
o Palliative care is an integrated system of care that
improves the quality of life, by providing pain
and symptom relief, spiritual and psychosocial
support from diagnosis to the end of life and
bereavement 1 . Studies have shown that most
patients faced with life-threatening illness have
spiritual needs that are not adequately
addressed by their health care providers .
2 them.
o Attitudes and approaches to palliative care vary
widely amongst religions and cultures. Diseases
that are included in palliative care such as
cardiovascular disease (38.5%), cancer (34%),
chronic respiratory disease (10.3%), HIV / AIDS
(5.7%), diabetes (4.6%) and require around 40-
60% needs palliative care 1 . Ca Servix (47%) is the
most common disease in palliative care
instalation RSUD Dr. Soetomo, Surabaya on 2012.
Method
o This article show about religion part of spirituality
support in palliative care. This article is based on
a selective literature search.
Discussion
o The National Consensus Project has created
clinical practice guidelines to provide a road map
for the provision of quality palliative care; the
fifth domain gives attention to spiritual, religious
and existential aspects of care 2.
o WHO has determined and perfected healthy
boundaries by adding 1 spiritual element so that
healthy means fulfilling the 4 healthy dimensions
of bio-psycho-socio-spiritual3. Spirituality
encompasses the universal human needs, it may
or may not include specific religious beliefs and
provides a philosophy or perspective that guides
the person's choices.
o Religion can be understood as a group or system
of beliefs that involve the supernatural, sacred, or
divine and moral codes, practices, values,
institutions and rituals associated with such
beliefs4. Management of patients who focus on
aspects of religion or spirituality is increasingly
gaining attention by academics and practitioners
in the field of health with its main contribution
being improving the clinical condition of patients
by changing the care given to end-stage patients
who need palliative care3,5,6.
o Better spirituality in a person has been shown to
be associated with lower levels of depressive
symptoms, fewer symptoms of post-traumatic
stress, fewer symptoms of eating disorders, fewer
stressful events, lower suicide risk, and fewer
personality disorders7.
13th ASIA Pacific Hospice Conference 2019, Surabaya, Indonesia
1Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia
2Internsip at RSUD Dr. Darsono Pacitan, Indonesia
3Internsip at RSUD Nganjuk, Indonesia
4Internsip at RS Citra Husada, Jember, Indonesia
Spiritual cares
Islamic Christian Catholic
• Visiting a sick person • Contact their parish, which
• Motivate the sick and comfort • Pastoral care would pray for the sick
• Counselling person
• Recitation of The Qur’an, hadith, • Supporting statements to stay • Visitation from a priest
or stories of Prophet Muhammad strong, pray to God for strength, • Sacrament of the Sick or
and Tabi’in (close friends of and commit their hope with God Anointing.
Prophet) as a form of theological who never leaves anybody • Reconciliation for Catholic
reflection • Praying together with patients who had been missing the
• Daily prayer, supplications, • Giving them prayer cards
12
practice of faith.
reciting The Qur’an, and dzikr • Communion
8
• Repentance
8,9,10,11
• Aimsgiving
Buddhist Hindu
• Cultivation of Buddha nature,
develop compassion, let go of possession,
• Talking about spiritual questions may relieve
distress, as the discussion would affirms their
and transformation from the common belief about karma.
knowledge of this world as a transmigration • Visitation from a Hindu priest in cases where patients
into Buddha-knowledge refuse palliative care
• Four stages: the first is acceptance of death,
• Daily shower in running water is often preferred,
followed by faith in spiritual existence. The
which may require assistance for the sick to perform.
third stage is developing a dependence to
Buddhist teaching. The last stage is • The desire to fast may cause some patients to refuse
“Walking on the path of Buddhahood” medications. Intravenous routes should be offered,
• Meditation
15
and patches are a possibility for certain drugs, such
14
as morphine
Conclusion
Religion as spiritual support is an important component of quality of life (QOL) and may be a
key factor in how people cope with illness, experience healing, and achieve a sense of
coherence. The assessment of and attention to spiritual needs have been identified as
important factors in promoting quality of life. In order to provide the best possible care to
patients and families in end-of-life situations, it is important to understand their cultural
constructs as well as their individual preferences.
References
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