Research | Brazil |
Spirituality sustains patients and caregivers in a compassionate community in two Brazilian favelas
A mixed-methods study explores how palliative patients and caregivers in socially vulnerable settings draw on faith and community.
Researchers studied 29 palliative care patients and caregivers in a compassionate community initiative in two Brazilian favelas, using the Attitudes Related to Spirituality Scale, the Duke Religiosity Index and semi-structured interviews.
The authors describe spirituality as a key coping resource and suggest compassionate community models can help integrate spiritual care where health and social resources are limited.