Patient Appreciation of Student Chaplain Visits During Their Hospitalization

Abstract

Spiritual care is associated with improved health outcomes and higher patient satisfaction. However, chaplains often cover many hospital units and thus may not be able to serve all patients. Involving student chaplains in patient spiritual care may allow for more patients to experience the support of spiritual care. In this study, we surveyed 93 patients hospitalized on general medical units at a tertiary care center who were visited by nine student chaplain summer interns. The results indicated that the majority of patients appreciated student chaplain visits and these encounters may have positively influenced their overall hospital experience. Thus, student chaplains could be a way to extend valuable spiritual care in settings where chaplaincy staff shortages preclude access.

Examining the Association Between Chaplain Care and Patient Experience

“…Chaplains are the spiritual care specialists within health care trained to address the spiritual needs of patients/families from diverse religious backgrounds as well as those with no religious affiliation ( 5 , 6 ). A small but consistent body of evidence is developing that indicates that patients/families who receive chaplain care report higher levels of patient/family satisfaction ( 7 – 13 ). However, most of those studies were conducted with small samples, used surveys created by the investigators, and patient documentation of chaplain care which is not always reliable.…”

Exploring the Perceptions Surrounding Hospital Chaplains in Patient Care and Healing

“…needs and the extent to which these are being made, leading to an improved patient outcome (Purvis et al, 2018). The authors also advocate for the continued work on assessing outcomes of the chaplaincy service (e.g., Chaplaincy and its impact on physical health) as well as solidifying the professional identity of chaplaincy, as this shall be important in further clarifying the role of the chaplain.…”

“…An increased awareness of the varied role of the hospital chaplain as an important member of the healthcare team can result in greater appreciation by other hospital staff and also improve referral practices to the hospital chaplaincy service. The latter would fulfil the gap between the prevalence of patient spiritual needs and the extent to which these are being made, leading to an improved patient outcome (Purvis et al, 2018). The authors also advocate for the continued work on assessing outcomes of the chaplaincy service (e.g., Chaplaincy and its impact on physical health) as well as solidifying the professional identity of chaplaincy, as this shall be important in further clarifying the role of the chaplain.…”

Can Outcome Research Respect the Integrity of Chaplaincy? A Review of Outcome Studies

“…When we look at the findings, nine studies find a higher satisfaction with hospital or overall care of patients and relatives who were visited by a chaplain (Daaleman et al, 2008;Donohue et al, 2017;Iler et al, 2001;Johnson et al, 2014;Marin et al, 2015;Sharma et al, 2016;Vandecreek, 2004;Wall et al, 2007;Williams et al, 2011). Three studies find a high satisfaction with chaplain care (Purvis, Crowe, Wright, & Teague, 2018;Vandecreek, 2004;Wall et al, 2007). Four studies find a positive relationship between chaplaincy care and better patient quality of life (Balboni et al, 2007(Balboni et al, , 2010Piderman et al, 2017;Rummans et al, 2006) and four studies show an increase in spiritual well-being (Kestenbaum et al, 2017;Piderman et al, 2017;Rabow et al, 2004;Sun et al, 2016).…”