فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

BACKGROUND: Spiritual healing is a complementary and alternative treatment with differentmeanings in different cultures and religions. However, the concept has not been defined from thecancer patients’ points of view. The present study was done with the aim of concept analyses ofspiritual healing from Iranian cancer patients’ viewpoints.METHODOLOGY: The study was done using a hybrid method at three phases including of theoreticalstudy, field study, and final analysis. In the theoretical study phase and using the keyword “spiritualhealing,” pertinent articles were searched in main databases. In the field study phase, ten cancerpatients were interviewed, and in the final phase, the two other phases were analyzed. Afterdetermining features, antecedents, and consequences, a conclusive definition of spiritual healingfrom Iranian cancer patients’ viewpoints was proposed.FINDINGS: Spiritual healing from Iranian cancer patients’ viewpoints was featured with four themes,including connection with paranormal forces; effective, noninvasive, inexpensive, and efficienttherapeutic method; a way to achieve piece, adaptation, and health and influenced by cultural andreligious beliefs. Spiritual healing is a complementary and alternative treatment that helps careseekersto achieve health through paranormal forces and energies. As the findings showed and according tothe participants’ viewpoints, the source of such forces and energies was divine force and the healerswere mediums to transfer the energy.CONCLUSION: The findings supported that religion and faith were the key elements of spiritualhealing in the Iranian Islamic context.