Spirituality/Religiosity in the Oncological Palliative Care Context in the Light of Unitary Caring Science

Objective: to understand spirituality and religiosity for people in palliative care due to oncological disease in the light of Unitary Caring Science. Method: descriptive and exploratory qualitative research, carried out in a public home‑care service in Minas Gerais, Brazil, with 12 oncology patients in palliative care. The data collection period took place from December 2023 to March 2024. Results: spirituality and religiosity are used as sources of strength, support, and help for the participants, who express that they understand it is important to thank God, as well as to pray to ease suffering, help improve, and even cure; to believe in God in order not to think about negative things and to have faith to make it this far. The meanings attributed function as a vital source to avoid surrendering to the disease, strengthening themselves in God. Thus, they believe that relief from suffering will come from faith and that God’s omnipotence may even cure. Conclusion: the participants understand the religious and spiritual aspect as a fundamental dimension in their process of finitude. Jean Watson’s Theory and the elements of the Caritas Process fit this group of patients and, when used by health professionals, value subjectivity and ease suffering.