Aim This scoping review aimed to systematically map the available literature on digital-facilitated spiritual care in clinical populations. Specific objectives were to: (1) identify target patient groups and geographical distribution of research; (2) describe intervention characteristics, delivery methods, and digital technologies used; and (3) summarize the assessment tools and reported outcomes described in the included studies. Methods The review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and reported following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive search was performed across seven electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Scopus) and two grey literature sources (OpenGrey, ProQuest) from inception to June 2025. Studies were included if they involved digital delivery of spiritual care targeting patients with any clinical diagnosis. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts, with discrepancies resolved through consensus. Results From 7,091 identified records, 32 studies met the inclusion criteria. The majority (71.8%) were published after 2017, indicating rapid growth in the field. Geographically, the United States and China contributed nearly two-thirds of the studies. Cancer patients constituted the most frequently studied population. The included interventions were delivered through diverse digital modalities, including communication platforms, telephone-based approaches, video conferencing technologies, and specialized digital tools. FACIT-Sp was the most commonly used outcome measure. Several studies also integrated multiple digital technologies within a single intervention program. Conclusions Digital health technologies offer a promising approach to supporting spiritual care as part of holistic healthcare. This scoping review mapped the existing literature on digitally facilitated spiritual care in clinical populations, presenting the main characteristics and current trends of the field. Future research should expand to more diverse populations and cultural settings, thereby supporting the further development and broader application of digitally facilitated spiritual care.
Yun Chen, Ya Shi, Peiyu Sun et al.· Digital Health· 0 citations
Background Spiritual care is a fundamental yet often under-addressed component of holistic nursing, with nurses and nursing students globally reporting limited competency. Traditional education models face challenges in accessibility, scalability, and pedagogical depth. While digital technologies offer transformative potential for learning, the evidence regarding their application and effectiveness in spiritual care education remains fragmented and insufficiently synthesized. Objective This scoping review aims to systematically map the existing literature on the use of digital technologies in spiritual care education and training specifically for nurses and nursing students. Methods The review will be conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews and reported per the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive search will be performed across multiple databases (e.g., MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, CNKI, WanFang) from inception, supplemented by grey literature searches. Two independent reviewers will screen records, select studies, and extract data using a standardized form. We will include empirical studies focusing on digital interventions (e.g., online courses, mobile apps, virtual simulations) designed to develop spiritual care competency in the target population. Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Anticipated results The review will generate a comprehensive map and classification of existing digital spiritual education interventions, detailing their technological characteristics, pedagogical strategies, outcome measures, and implementation facilitators and barriers. It is expected to identify key evidence gaps and inconsistencies in the field. For example, we anticipate identifying virtual simulation, online modules, and mobile apps as the most common categories. Significance This will be the first scoping review to systematically consolidate evidence on digital spiritual education for nurses. The findings will provide a foundational resource to inform the future design, implementation, and evaluation of theoretically grounded, effective, and scalable digital training models, ultimately aiming to enhance spiritual care competence in nursing practice. Systematic review registration OSF registration number: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/7VNHF.
Peiyu Sun, Ya Shi, Guo Chen et al.· PLoS ONE· 0 citations