Witnesses of hope in times of despair: chaplains in palliative care. A qualitative study

Abstract

Hope is an important topic in spiritual care in palliative care but the experiences of chaplains with hope have hardly been explored. The objective of this study was to explore Dutch chaplains' experiences with hope in palliative care. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, which were thematically analyzed. The 10 chaplains had a variety of ordinations: Muslim, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Humanistic, or otherwise. Participants spoke about changes in patients' hope, often implying despair and surrender, in which patients' self-reflection was pivotal. Participants felt witnesses of hope, not by offering hope, but by acknowledging patients' hope and despair while being with their patients. They criticized other professionals who, not bearing witness to these experiences, tried to offer hope to patients. We conclude that chaplains may become witnesses of hope in times of despair, which includes the (ideological) critical function of spiritual care.

Sources of emotional challenge for practitioners delivering family centred care after the death of child: an inductive thematic analysis

“…The notion of developing effective professional and therapeutic relationships with families attracts some practitioners into palliative and hospice care (Parola et al, 2018). Establishing therapeutic relationships with families comes at a cost to practitioners through bearing witness to the grief and sadness experienced by family members following the death of their child (Olsman, 2020).…”

Hope in Health Care: A Synthesis of Review Studies

“…The objectives of this study were (1) to provide an overview of review studies on hope in health care and to describe (2) conceptualizations of hope, (3) antecedents and consequences of hope, and (4) ethical topics related to hope. The findings will also aid reflection on the role of spirituality in health care, since hope is a central topic in spiritual care (Capps 2001;Gijsberts et al 2019;Lester 1995;Olsman 2020).…”

Perceptions of Hope Among Bereaved Caregivers of Cancer Patients Who Received Early Palliative Care: A Content and Lexicographic Analysis

“… 2 Recently, hope has been defined as a “multidimensional construct that might change over time”. 3 Hope in terminally ill patients cannot be considered merely as a coping strategy, nor dismissed simply as wishful thinking. 4 Studies investigating the antecedents of hope have shown that inspiring relationships play a significant role in generating hope and maintaining it, despite adverse circumstances.…”

“… 4 Studies investigating the antecedents of hope have shown that inspiring relationships play a significant role in generating hope and maintaining it, despite adverse circumstances. 3 A critical aspect emerging in all the studies on hope is its connection with truth: on the one hand, healthcare professionals understand the need to sustain hope for their patients; on the other hand, they know they have an obligation to tell them the truth about their condition. This tension is particularly acute when patients must be told they are terminally ill.…”