Investigation the Role of Spiritual Health in Treatment of Patients with COVID-19: Study of a Military Hospital

Although the effect of peace of mind on improving the function of the nervous-hormonal-immune system has been confirmed, the study about the effect of spiritual health on the treatment of patients with COVID-19 requires scientific study. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of spiritual health on the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

This research was conducted from April 2020 to July 2021 at Baqiyatallah Military Hospital in Tehran, by using the method of "Strauss and Corbin's grounded systematic theory". The data were the result of in-depth interviews with 22 patients and hospital staff, field observations of the researcher, and a comprehensive report. Data analysis was performed in three stages of open, axial, and selective coding by using the MAXQDA software.

Spiritual health of the treatment team and patients changed their attitude towards the disease crisis. So they consider life events and sufferings as spiritual experiences that the power of God can manage. They considered God a "healing agent," the healer, whose will governs life events. This spiritual attitude stemmed from their spiritual health. Religious faith and spirituality were effective in adapting to crisis by promoting spiritual intelligence. Spiritual motivation led to "resilience" and striving for the pleasure of God. The hospital staff performed several responsibilities at the same time.

Considering the effect of spiritual health on the treatment of patients, it is necessary to combine spiritual health services in holistic treatment and care in Iranian hospitals. Staff should also be trained to provide spiritual health services.