Role Of Chaplain Research Articles

Moral Injury, Spiritual Care and the Role of Chaplains: An Exploratory Scoping Review of Literature and Resources.

This scoping review considered the role of chaplains with regard to 'moral injury'. Moral injury is gaining increasing notoriety. This is due to greater recognition that trauma (in its various forms) can cause much deeper inflictions and afflictions than just physiological or psychological harm, for there may also be wounds affecting the 'soul' that are far more difficult to heal-if at all. As part of a larger research program exploring moral injury, a scoping review of literature and other resources was implemented utilising Arksey and O'Malley's scoping method (Int J Soc Res Methodol 8(1):19-32, 2005) to focus upon moral injury, spirituality (including religion) and chaplaincy. Of the total number of articles and/or resources noting the term 'moral injury' in relation to spiritual/religious issues (n=482), the results revealed 60 resources that specifically noted moral injury and chaplains (or other similar bestowed title). The majority of these resources were clearly positive about the role (or the potential role) of chaplains with regard to mental health issues and/or moral injury. The World Health Organization International Classification of Diseases: Australian Modification of Health Interventions to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and related Health problems (10th revision, vol 3-WHO ICD-10-AM, Geneva, 2002), was utilised as a coding framework to classify and identify distinct chaplaincy roles and interventions with regard to assisting people with moral injury. Several recommendations are made concerning moral injury and chaplaincy, most particularly the need for greater research to be conducted.

South African Anglican Military Chaplains and the First World War

The role and value of Anglican chaplains in the military is a contested discourse. Anglican ministers have acted as chaplains to the military in South Africa since the earliest days of British colonialist expansion. At the outbreak of the First World War they joined ministers from a number of other denominations and saw action in the South West African and East African campaigns as well as in the trenches of Europe. Tensions arose around serving the aims of the military hierarchy while also challenging that same hierarchy at times. There was a major point of departure between Britain and South Africa on whether carrying arms was compatible with Holy Orders. This article seeks to bring to the fore many of these tensions, a subject that while given significant attention in Britain, is lagging behind in historical research in South Africa, where little has been published that focuses solely on South African Anglican military chaplains in the First World War.

Роль военного духовенства в сохранении памятников архитектуры

Роль военного духовенства в сохранении памятников архитектуры

Practical Matters and Ultimate Concerns, “Doing,” and “Being”: A Diary Study of the Chaplain's Role in the Care of the Seriously Ill in an Urban Acute Care Hospital

Systematic observational studies of the chaplain's role and function in the secular health‐care setting are few. With an episode‐based diary recorded on handheld digital tablets, palliative care chaplains at a large urban hospital with a diverse patient population recorded details of patient visits in near‐real time. Cluster analysis revealed groups of activities we called "doing" and "being," and conversation topics of "practical matters" and "ultimate concerns”; chaplains were most satisfied with visits that involved all of these. Chaplains offer patients and families a space to express significant concerns; however, visits with spiritual or religious activities or topics were relatively rare. Broad quality of life concerns are central to the evolving professional role of chaplains in the secular setting of the modern hospital.

The Role of Muslim Chaplains in Higher Education: Should They Be Doing What They Are Doing?

Muslim chaplaincy in Britain is fairly new particularly in higher education. Currently there is no extensive study of what Muslim chaplains in higher education do and what the result of their actions is. With new legislation on Counter Terrorism and Security (CTS) imposed on universities and colleges, this article explores the role of Muslim chaplains in higher education, what they do and in evaluating what they do, identify certain valuable factors, for example if their role includes how they might support vulnerable students. This article first describes chaplaincy in general and then Muslim chaplaincy in higher education in particular, in order to find explanations for the purpose and role of Muslim chaplaincy in higher education. It then explores what Muslim chaplains might do and critically analyzes three areas to examine whether they might contribute towards the fuller, more appropriate development of the role of Muslim chaplaincy: Islamic tradition, Christian chaplaincy, and expectations of higher education. Finally, it reflects on the implications of these findings.

Does University Christian Chaplaincy Need a Theology?

Chaplaincy is an institutional norm in most universities in the United Kingdom (UK). Individual chaplains can usually recount stories to illustrate their role positively, churches keep providing funding, and the institutions do not seem to mind their presence. But behind this benign status quo the role and function of chaplains faces a challenge: development and availability of professional counselling services, pressures on church budgets, and changing cultural and political agendas. This paper explores how university chaplaincy has become ubiquitous without an articulated theological underpinning, and why developing robust theology is crucial for future stability and development from the perspectives of chaplains who practise, churches who provide funding, and the secular institutions who host them. It is argued that a key element of any such theology must include confident distinctiveness of faith and engagement with the academic nature of the context.

The Role of the Chaplain in the Interdisciplinary Care of the Rehabilitation Patient.

Chaplains have been utilized for years in acute/tertiary hospitals to meet spiritual needs of patients, their caregivers, and staff. Due to size, nature, and scheduling issues encountered in rehabilitation hospitals, these often do not employ a chaplain, relying on community clergy for religious or emergent needs. This article explores eight roles a chaplain assumes to assist in the total care of the patient and/or support system in conjunction with the rehabilitation nurse and other treatment team members. It also explores the value of the chaplain in ethical situations, as a link to the community and a resource to staff. These eight "roles" come from the author's nineteen years as a chaplain, as well as other resources, where noted. The article gives some suggestions how, in the chaplain's absence, the rehabilitation nurse may help to meet these spiritual needs, concluding with recommendations for the future.

Chaplaincies in a “Post-Secular” Multicultural University

As universities in Australia are faced with a growth in diversity and intensity of religion and spirituality on campus, this article explores the work of chaplains and its reception by students on a multi-campus suburban university. It finds that the religious work of these professionals is not the primary emphasis in the university context; what is of greater significance to students and the university institution is the broader pastoral and welfare-support role of chaplains. We discuss these findings in relation to post-secularism theory and the scaling down of state-provided welfare in public institutions such as universities.

"Taking your place at the table": an autoethnographic study of chaplains' participation on an interdisciplinary research team.

BackgroundThere are many potential benefits to chaplaincy in transforming into a “research-informed” profession. However little is known or has been documented about the roles of chaplains on research teams and as researchers or about the effects of research engagement on chaplains themselves. This report describes the experience and impact of three chaplains, as well as tensions and challenges that arose, on one particular interdisciplinary team researching a spiritual assessment model in palliative care. Transcripts of our research team meetings, which included the three active chaplain researchers, as well as reflections of all the members of the research team provide the data for this descriptive, qualitative, autoethnographic analysis.MethodsThis autoethnographic project evolved from the parent study, entitled “Spiritual Assessment Intervention Model (AIM) in Outpatient Palliative Care Patients with Advanced Cancer.” This project focused on the use of a well-developed model of spiritual care, the Spiritual Assessment and Intervention Model (Spiritual AIM). Transcripts of nine weekly team meetings for the parent study were reviewed. These parent study team meetings were attended by various disciplines and included open dialogue and intensive questions from non-chaplain team members to chaplains about their practices and Spiritual AIM. Individual notes (from reflexive memoing) and other reflections of team members were also reviewed for this report. The primary methodological framework for this paper, autoethnography, was not only used to describe the work of chaplains as researchers, but also to reflect on the process of researcher identity formation and offer personal insights regarding the challenges accompanying this process.ResultsThree major themes emerged from the autoethnographic analytic process: 1) chaplains’ unique contributions to the research team; 2) the interplay between the chaplains’ active research role and their work identities; and 3) tensions and challenges in being part of an interdisciplinary research team.ConclusionsDescribing the contributions and challenges of one interdisciplinary research team that included chaplains may help inform chaplains about the experience of participating in research. As an autoethnographic study, this work is not meant to offer generalizable results about all chaplains’ experiences on research teams. Research teams that are interdisciplinary may mirror the richness and efficacy of clinical interdisciplinary teams. Further work is needed to better characterize both the promise and pitfalls of chaplains’ participation on research teams.

Practical Matters and Ultimate Concerns, “Doing” and “Being”: A Diary Study of the Chaplain's Role in the Care of the Seriously Ill in an Urban Acute Care Hospital (S710)

(drowsiness) and 0.5 (pain) points (all p<0.05). Weight loss trended toward improved (p1⁄40.053). Conclusions. 8 of 15 symptoms significantly improved after the first visit to a small-scale SOC. These reductions may underestimate the SOC’s effect if disease was progressing or overestimate differences if disease was shrinking, but such data were unavailable. Implications for Research, Policy, or Practice. Larger multi-site trials with well-defined interventions and control groups are needed.

The military chaplain: a study in ambiguity

This article looks at the ambiguities in the role of the military chaplain from three points of view. The first considers the nature of the constituency within which the chaplain ministers, paying particular attention to the degree – or otherwise – of secularisation and the reasons for this. The second examines the role of the chaplain in relation to the two institutions which he or she serves (i.e. church and state) and the tensions that emerge as a result. These are articulated in terms of ‘an angle of eschatological tension’. The third is concerned with ‘the roles within the role’ – that is the variety of tasks that make up the role of chaplaincy and the degree to which these are compatible with each other. The significance of theology in the resolution of the ensuing issues is set against diminishing societal resources in terms of religious literacy.

Vulnerable Self

A sense of personal vulnerability in the face of death is the motivation behind this article. The focus of the research is first, on the lived experience of families facing bereavement in a children’s hospital. Using a qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological approach, the findings identify three key issues: Hope and struggle with God; A new experience of Community; A changed relationship with the child – Continuing bonds. Then drawing on theological resources, the author outlines a response to the emerging issues describing how a theological lens can bring a unique and appreciated contribution to the families’ experiences of loss, namely Theodicy: Sustaining faith and hope; Community: Being in community with God and people and Continuing Bonds: Facilitating expressions of remembrance, mystery and afterlife. Finally, consideration is given to the unique role of healthcare chaplains within the multidisciplinary team in a contemporary healthcare environment which is still negotiating the delivery of spiritual and religious care. The research confirms the valued and unique theological and pastoral contribution of healthcare chaplaincy within healthcare.

Illegitimate Online Newspaper Representations of the Chaplaincy Program

Illegitimate Online Newspaper Representations of the Chaplaincy Program

Understanding the Role of Chaplains in Veteran Suicide Prevention Efforts

In recent years, identifying ways to mitigate the risk of suicidal behavior in Veteran populations has become a major public health challenge of special significance. This has included identifying support options that can be used by Veterans in times of distress or crisis. For example, Veterans at increased risk of suicide will sometimes voice complaints indicative of a need for spiritual and pastoral care support. At U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, such support is provided to Veterans by clinical chaplains. This discussion paper aims to present the contextual framework in which chaplaincy services are provided to Veterans at increased risk of suicide, better conceptualize the spiritual and pastoral care needs of at-risk Veterans who request chaplaincy services, and offer practical suggestions for framing the provision of spiritual and pastoral care services.

Religion, health and confidentiality: an exploratory review of the role of chaplains.

Chaplaincy has traditionally been considered a profession highly respectful of confidentiality. Nevertheless, given increasing professional collaboration within health and welfare contexts, plus the requirements of intervention reporting and the ease of technological data sharing, it is possible that confidentiality may be sacrificed for the sake of expediency. This exploratory review considers the literature relating to the role of chaplaincy and confidentiality that suggests a number of principles which should be considered by chaplaincy associations/organizations to ensure appropriate professional practice and the holistic health and well-being of patients/clients. Recommendations are made for the development of specific policies and procedures, confidentiality training programs and further research for developing universal protocols relating to chaplains and their handling of confidential information.

Depression in the Medically Ill: Evidence for the Important Role of Chaplains in Medical Settings

Health professionals often underestimate the power that religious faith plays in the healing of the whole person (emotional, social, and psychological), especially when that person becomes physically ill. This article examines the role of religion in coping with stress and medical illness, reviews new research on the relationship between religious involvement and mental health, and explores how religious psychotherapy can speed the treatment of depression and other emotional conditions. A growing research base is now beginning to document the wide prevalence of spiritual and religious needs of patients in health care settings, the importance that addressing those needs plays in the patient’s mental and physical health, and the key role that chaplains play in this regard (as the only health professionals who are trained to address these areas). That research base includes studies from the United Kingdom. We are now developing and testing new psychotherapeutic methods at Duke University for therapists, including chaplains, that will provide tools to address the emotional and religious needs of Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, and Hindu patients with medical illness.

Spiritual AIM and the work of the chaplain: A model for assessing spiritual needs and outcomes in relationship

Distinguishing the unique contributions and roles of chaplains as members of healthcare teams requires the fundamental step of articulating and critically evaluating conceptual models that guide practice. However, there is a paucity of well-described spiritual assessment models. Even fewer of the extant models prescribe interventions and describe desired outcomes corresponding to spiritual assessments. This article describes the development, theoretical underpinnings, and key components of one model, called the Spiritual Assessment and Intervention Model (Spiritual AIM). Three cases are presented that illustrate Spiritual AIM in practice. Spiritual AIM was developed over the past 20 years to address the limitations of existing models. The model evolved based in part on observing how different people respond to a health crisis and what kinds of spiritual needs appear to emerge most prominently during a health crisis. Spiritual AIM provides a conceptual framework for the chaplain to diagnose an individual's primary unmet spiritual need, devise and implement a plan for addressing this need through embodiment/relationship, and articulate and evaluate the desired and actual outcome of the intervention. Spiritual AIM's multidisciplinary theory is consistent with the goals of professional chaplaincy training and practice, which emphasize the integration of theology, recognition of interpersonal dynamics, cultural humility and competence, ethics, and theories of human development. Further conceptual and empirical work is needed to systematically refine, evaluate, and disseminate well-articulated spiritual assessment models such as Spiritual AIM. This foundational work is vital to advancing chaplaincy as a theoretically grounded and empirically rigorous healthcare profession.

The role of chaplains in end-of-life decision making: Results of a pilot survey

The overall aim of this study was to discover how chaplains assess their role within ethically complex end-of-life decisions. A questionnaire was sent to 256 chaplains working for German health care institutions. Questions about their role and satisfaction as well as demographic data were collected, which included information about the chaplains' integration within multi-professional teams. The response rate was 59%, 141 questionnaires were analyzed. Respondents reported being confronted with decisions concerning the limitation of life-sustaining treatment on average two to three times per month. Nearly 74% were satisfied with the decisions made within these situations. However, only 48% were satisfied with the communication process. Whenever chaplains were integrated within a multi-professional team there was a significantly higher satisfaction with both: the decisions made (p=0.000) and the communication process (p=0.000). Significance of the results: Although the results of this study show a relatively high satisfaction among surveyed chaplains with regard to the outcome of decisions, one of the major problems seems to reside in the communication process. A clear integration of chaplains within multi-professional teams (such as palliative care teams) appears to increase the satisfaction with the communication in ethically critical situations.

Improving Access and Satisfaction with Spiritual Care in the Hospice Setting

Hospice of Sacred Heart, an agency of PeaceHealth Oregon, experienced a dramatic increase in its census beginning in 2007. The spiritual care team noticed the number of referrals was decreasing while the census was increasing. A quality improvement initiative was conducted, including a staff survey, an education program about spirituality and the role of chaplains on interdisciplinary teams in the hospice setting, and an audit of the chaplain's daily allocation of time. These actions resulted in an increase in the use of spiritual care services by patients and staff and the addition of two full-time, benefited chaplain positions.

Spiritual Care in N.H.S.Scotland

A retired hospital physician considers the practical implications of the Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD) Guidelines on Spiritual Care in the NHS Scotland. Whilst welcoming the move toward the recovery of a spiritual dimension in health care, and the recognition of the specialist role of hospital chaplains, he expresses two concerns. The first is the danger of too superficial and ill-defined an attitude to the spiritual need of patients. The other is whether the rank and file of healthcare workers will be prepared to give time to this additional burden, or feel equipped to do so.