Perspectives of board-certified healthcare chaplains on challenges and adaptations in delivery of spiritual care in the COVID-19 era: Findings from an online survey

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges for healthcare systems to meet patients’ and families’ complex care needs, including spiritual care needs. Little data are available about spiritual care delivery in light of the pandemic. Aim: This study examined the impact of COVID-19 on spiritual care by healthcare chaplains in the United States. Design: An online survey of 563 board-certified chaplains was conducted from March to July 2020. The survey, designed to identify chaplains’ roles in facilitating conversations about goals of care, included an open-ended question asking how COVID-19 affected chaplaincy practices; 236 chaplains responded. Quantitative data and written qualitative responses were analyzed using descriptive analysis and content analysis, respectively. Setting/participants: Majority of participants were white (88%), female (59%), Protestant (53%), and employed full time (86%). Almost half were working in community hospitals (45%) and designated to one or more special units (48%) including ICU, palliative care, and oncology. Results: Three major themes emerged from chaplains’ qualitative responses: (1) COVID-19—related risk mitigation and operational changes; (2) impact of social distancing guidelines; and (3) increased need for and provision of psychosocial and spiritual support. Conclusions: Chaplains reported that COVID-19 challenges contributed to greater social isolation, and mental health concerns for patients, families, and healthcare staff, and substantially changed the way healthcare chaplains provided spiritual care. With evolving healthcare contexts, developing safer, more creative modes of spiritual care delivery while offering systematic support for chaplains can help meet the increasing psychosocial and spiritual needs of patients, families, and healthcare team members.