Exploring Sacred Moments in Hospitalized Patients: An Exploratory Qualitative Study

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.

Objective: To better understand the occurrence of sacred moments among hospitalized patients and their healthcare workers.

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

Participants: Hospital 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 results: Both 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.

Conclusions: Among 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.

Keywords: religiosity in medicine; sacred moment(s); spirituality; whole health.