Evidence map›Paper›PMID 36650333›Full record

ArticleJournal of general internal medicine2023

Exploring Sacred Moments in Hospitalized Patients: An Exploratory Qualitative Study.

Martha Quinn, Karen E Fowler, Molly Harrod, Rachel Ehrlinger, Jason M Engle, Nathan Houchens, Sanjay Saint

Open access · hybridAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of general internal medicine, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
14citing papers in PubMed
3.9field-weighted citation impact, top 6% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

14 citing papers in PubMed, 14 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. Sacred Moments in Healthcare: An Evidence-Based Conceptual Model.Journal of general internal medicine · 2026
    Review
  3. Article
  4. Exploring Sacred Moments in Japanese Healthcare.Journal of general internal medicine · 2026
    Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Sacred Moments During Mentorship.Journal of general internal medicine · 2025
    Article
  10. Article
  11. The impact of mindfulness training on infection prevention practices in intensive care units.Antimicrobial stewardship & healthcare epidemiology : ASHE · 2025
    Article
  12. Article
  13. Review
  14. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Martha QuinnSchool of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, USA. marthaq@umich.edu.
Karen E FowlerPatient Safety Enhancement Program, University of Michigan and Veterans Affairs (VA) Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Molly HarrodPatient Safety Enhancement Program, University of Michigan and Veterans Affairs (VA) Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Rachel EhrlingerPatient Safety Enhancement Program, University of Michigan and Veterans Affairs (VA) Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Jason M EnglePatient Safety Enhancement Program, University of Michigan and Veterans Affairs (VA) Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Nathan HouchensPatient Safety Enhancement Program, University of Michigan and Veterans Affairs (VA) Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Sanjay SaintPatient Safety Enhancement Program, University of Michigan and Veterans Affairs (VA) Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System · USUniversity of Michigan · US

Funding

Engineering Whole Health into Hospital Care to Improve Wellness: The M-Wellness Laboratory (M-Well)R18HS028963 · AHRQ · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · PI SAINT, SANJAY K · 2022 to 2025
$2.0M
AHRQ HHS R18 HS028963
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

background"Sacred moments" are brief periods of time in which people experience a deep interconnectedness that may possess spiritual qualities and emotions. This concept has been shown to have a positive impact on individuals' overall well-being and stress in mental health settings. The concept of sacred moments has not been studied in acute care hospital settings.

objectiveTo better understand the occurrence of sacred moments among hospitalized patients and their healthcare workers.

designAn exploratory qualitative study that included in-depth interviews with patients and healthcare workers at two academic medical centers in the Midwestern United States.

participantsHospital healthcare workers (e.g., physicians, nurses, ancillary staff) and discharged patients with a recent hospital stay. APPROACH: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 30 participants between August 2020 and April 2021. Interviews were recorded and transcribed before conducting thematic analysis. KEY

resultsBoth healthcare workers and patients reported having experienced at least one sacred moment. Interview findings were organized into three main domains including (1) several common elements described by participants as marking these moments; (2) benefits experienced by both patients and healthcare workers; and (3) suggestions for fostering sacred moments within the hospital setting.

conclusionsAmong our participants, sacred moments were extremely common with the vast majority reporting to have experienced at least one in their lifetime. These moments were described as profound and important and shared many common elements. Our findings can be used to help recognize, understand, and promote sacred moments between hospitalized patients and healthcare workers.

Indexed as

Health PersonnelPhysiciansEmotionsHumansPatientsQualitative Researchreligiosity in medicinesacred moment(s)spiritualitywhole health

Identifiers

PMID36650333
PMCPMC9845021
OpenAlexW4317038727

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.