RESUMEN
Objective:To determine the spiritual needs of shrinking man syndrome (SMS) in young and middle-aged patients, and to provide reference for determining targeted intervention plans.Methods:From May to July, 2021, 14 young and middle-aged patients with SMS who received hyperparathyroidism thermal ablation in the Interventional Medicine Department of China-Japan Friendship Hospital were selected by purpose sampling method. Qualitative research phenomenology was used to conduct semi-structured in-depth interviews, and the interview data were analyzed by Colaizzi 7-step analysis method.Results:There were 4 themes and 14 sub-themes: "understanding and self-acceptance of illness" (attribution to illness; disease uncertainty; acceptance and illness), "need for social support" (love and respect; connection and companionship; family support; medical support; patient support), "life value and sense of meaning" (life meaning and goal; self-esteem; religious belief), "self-actualization and transcendence" (hope for improvement; eager for miracles; realize your value).Conclusions:Medical staff should pay attention to the spiritual needs of young and middle-aged patients with SMS, and specifically meet their spiritual needs during diagnosis, treatment, nursing and follow-up, so as to improve the patients′ sense of life meaning and value, and help them to better survive with disease and return to society.