Pilot-testing the French version of a provisional European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) measure of spiritual well-being for people receiving palliative care for cancer

Abstract

Spiritual well-being is increasingly recognised as an important aspect of patients' quality of life when living with a potentially life-limiting illness such as cancer. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Group is developing a measure for assessing spiritual well-being cross-culturally for people receiving palliative care for cancer. The pilot-testing phase of the study explored potential problems related to the content and administration of a provisional version of this measure. The French version was pilot-tested with 12 patients in a palliative and supportive day care unit in Paris. Participants were asked to complete the measure and the EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL before being interviewed about their responses. The administration of the measure enabled participants to express the difficulties and existential concerns they experienced. The items were not considered intrusive, despite the sensitive topic of the measure. This article considers difficulties with items pertaining to 'religion' and 'spirituality' in the context of French culture. Overall, this measure appears to enhance holistic care, by providing caregivers with a means of broaching spirituality issues, a topic otherwise difficult to discuss in the context of palliative care.

Spiritual well-being and quality of life among Icelanders receiving palliative care: data from Icelandic pilot-testing of a provisional measure of spiritual well-being from the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer

“…The relevance of the measure is compatible with the evaluation of the pilot‐testing of the French version of the provisional EORTC QLQ‐SWB, although French participants had more problems concerning items pertaining to religious and spiritual beliefs (Lucette et al . ). Religious and spiritual beliefs were more relevant to the participants in this Icelandic study, who were all members of Christian denominations.…”

“…Subsequently, SWB at the end‐of‐life has been revealed as an important dimension, and SWB and QoL seem to relate to one another (Lucette et al . ).…”

“…On the other hand, it can be hard to understand in what way SWB affects psychological functioning (McClain et al 2003). Subsequently, SWB at the end-of-life has been revealed as an important dimension, and SWB and QoL seem to relate to one another (Lucette et al 2014).…”

The influence of spirituality on decision-making in palliative care outpatients: a cross-sectional study

“…Spirituality is a significant dimension of quality of life along with physical and psychological wellbeing in palliative care patients [4][5][6]. It is common for end of life patients to explore his or her spirituality [7]. However, the lack of agreement on the conceptualisation of spirituality in both research and clinical practice often results in a non-systematic and intuitive approach to patients' spiritual needs [7][8][9][10].…”

“…It is common for end of life patients to explore his or her spirituality [7]. However, the lack of agreement on the conceptualisation of spirituality in both research and clinical practice often results in a non-systematic and intuitive approach to patients' spiritual needs [7][8][9][10].…”