Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42621791›Full record

ArticleScandinavian journal of caring sciences2026

Spirituality in Decision-Making in Patients in Oncology Settings: A Scoping Review.

Helga Martins, Susana Miguel, Sílvia Caldeira

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in Scandinavian journal of caring sciences, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

3 authors.

Helga MartinsFaculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisbon, Portugal.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5804-7934
Susana MiguelFaculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisbon, Portugal.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8830-070X
Sílvia CaldeiraFaculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisbon, Portugal.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9804-2297

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionSpirituality is a source of meaning, comfort, hope, and resilience for oncology patients, influencing how they cope with diagnosis and treatment. It is embedded within systems of beliefs and values that can shape decision-making, including acceptance or refusal of treatments. The aim of this review is to map the knowledge on the influence of spirituality in decision-making among oncology patients in healthcare settings.

methodsThis scoping review followed JBI methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Searches were conducted in March 2025 across electronic databases, including MEDLINE and CINAHL. MedicLatina, LILACS, PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, and SciELO. Grey literature sources included the Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal. Inclusion criteria involved oncology patients of any age, cancer type, disease stage, or treatment context and studies conducted in oncology-related settings, such as hospitals, palliative care, hospice care, oncology clinics, or community-based contexts. Eligible study designs included qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research, as well as reviews, opinion pieces, and theoretical papers. Two reviewers independently screened studies using Rayyan, and data were extracted using JBI's standardised tool. Findings were tabulated and synthesised narratively. The search yielded 1,358 records; 578 duplicates were removed, leaving 780 for screening. A total of 53 articles were selected for full-text review after applying the eligibility criteria.

resultsA total of 15 studies were included in this review. Three major themes emerged: (1) Spirituality reduces decisional conflict and regret, (2) Spirituality influences preferences for treatment goals, and (3) Integration of spirituality in shared decision-making.

conclusionsSpirituality is a substantial factor in shaping treatment preferences and decisions, and patient engagement in shared decision-making. Understanding the role of spirituality in decision-making can support oncology healthcare professionals in providing holistic, patient-centred care. Integrating spiritual care and assessment into clinical practice may improve communication, align treatment goals with patients' values, reduce decisional conflict, and enhance overall care satisfaction.

Indexed as

Decision MakingNeoplasmsSpiritualityHumanscancer survivorsdecision makingneoplasmspatientsscoping reviewspirituality

Identifiers

PMID42621791
PMCPMC13491412

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
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.