Spirituality among Physicians and Nurses in Metropolitan Cities / 정신간호학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was a descriptive survey research to investigate physicians and nurses' spirituality and to determine the general characteristics of physicians and nurses and the differences in their spirituality according to characteristics related to their works. METHODS: The participants were 120 physicians and 120 nurses working in general hospitals with more than 500 beds located in metropolitan cities. The study data were collected from Nov. 15, 2009 to Dec. 30, 2009. Spirituality was measured using 'The scale for Korean' spirituality' developed by Lee et al (2003). The scale has 30 questions answered on a five-point scale. Descriptive statistics, ANCOVA, t-test and one-way ANOVA were also used with the SPSS/WIN 170.0 program to analyze the data. RESULTS: The spirituality of physicians and nurses was slightly higher than 3 points, a theoretical mean, which was at mid-level. The nurses had a significantly higher level than the physicians in 6 dimensions of spirituality and in the dimension of awareness. For differences of spirituality according to general characteristics and work related characteristics, there were significant differences according to the importance of religion in life, religion and age. CONCLUSION: Interest in spirituality is an important for medical professionals if they were to meet various patient demands within diverse cultures and beliefs. Medical science and nursing science should be sensitive to the spiritual demands of medical professionals themselves and their patients by developing educational programs to increase spirituality in education and practical affairs.