What GPs mean by 'spirituality' and how they apply this concept with patients: a qualitative study

Alistair Appleby; John Swinton; Philip Wilson

doi:10.3399/bjgpopen18X101469

What GPs mean by 'spirituality' and how they apply this concept with patients: a qualitative study

BJGP Open. 2018 Apr 18;2(2):bjgpopen18X101469. doi: 10.3399/bjgpopen18X101469. eCollection 2018 Jul.

Authors

Alistair Appleby¹, John Swinton², Philip Wilson³

Affiliations

¹ GP, Aviemore Medical Practice, Aviemore, UK.
² Chair of Divinity and Religious Studies, School of Divinity, History and Philosophy, King's College, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
³ Director, Centre for Rural Health, University of Aberdeen, Centre for Health Science, Inverness, UK.

Abstract

Background: Little is known about how the concept of spirituality is understood and applied by GPs.

Aim: To provide a detailed description of how GPs understand the concept of spirituality and apply this with patients.

Design & setting: Nineteen Scottish GPs were interviewed about their perceptions of the concept of spirituality and how they apply this in practice.

Method: An approach informed by grounded theory was used to identify and summarise common themes.

Results: Seven concepts concerning spirituality emerged, some of which are previously unrecognised. Four attitudes to spiritual care and four patterns of spiritual care were identified.

Conclusion: GPs have varying views on what spirituality is, and these relate partly to individual beliefs and experiences. These create considerable variation in the delivery of spiritual care.

Keywords: general practice; primary care; spirituality.