Impact on Hospital Staff When Organising Spiritual Care for Patients During Pandemics

Abstract

Introduction: Pandemics, such as Covid-19, have a large impact on the mental and spiritual health of both patients and healthcare professionals. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate how the organisation of spiritual care during the Covid-19 pandemic affected hospital staff, and which challenges and opportunities were experienced.Method: A qualitative study with individual semi-structured interviews with Danish doctors, nurses and chaplains was conducted. Data were analysed using inductive grounded theory analysis, with iterative coding leading to overall themes. Findings: Doctors, nurses and chaplains found that chaplains constituted an important resource to meet pandemic-related issues such as loneliness during isolation, fear of infection, suffering and powerlessness. Having a chaplain available in the unit increased the quality of spiritual care for patients and staff. Facilitators of and barriers to providing spiritual care were identified. Discussion: Relevant aspects of spiritual care in hospitals during pandemics were described.