Neglecting spiritual needs may contribute to which outcome regarding patient experience?

• A. Increased satisfaction
• B. Decreased satisfaction
• C. Improved health literacy
• D. Faster discharge

Answer: (B)

Understanding how spiritual care fits into overall patient-centered care is key. Spiritual needs relate to meaning, purpose, comfort, and connection to beliefs or valued practices. When these needs are neglected, patients can feel unheard, distressed, and less trusting of the care team, which lowers their overall satisfaction with their care experience. Attending to spiritual concerns—through empathetic listening, honoring rituals, or involving chaplain services when desired—tends to enhance comfort, reassurance, and perceived respect, boosting satisfaction. The other outcomes don’t align as directly with spiritual care: neglecting spiritual needs wouldn’t typically increase satisfaction, nor does it directly improve health literacy or hasten discharge.