Supporting diversity in person-centred care: The role of healthcare chaplains

Aim:To explore healthcare chaplains’ experience of providing spiritual support to individuals and families from minority religious and non-religious faiths and to identify key elements of the role.Background:Currently, there is limited research uncovering the essential elements of healthcare chaplai...

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Authors: Brady, Vivienne (Author) ; Timmins, Fiona 1967- (Author) ; Caldeira, Sílvia (Author) ; Naughton, Margaret Theresa (Author) ; McCarthy, Anne (Author) ; Pesut, Barbara (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Sage 2021
In: Nursing ethics
Year: 2021, Volume: 28, Issue: 6, Pages: 935-950
Further subjects:B Spirituality
B healthcare ethics
B Cultural Diversity
B person-centred care
B healthcare chaplain
B interprofessional collaboration
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Summary:Aim:To explore healthcare chaplains’ experience of providing spiritual support to individuals and families from minority religious and non-religious faiths and to identify key elements of the role.Background:Currently, there is limited research uncovering the essential elements of healthcare chaplaincy, specifically with reference to religious and/or spiritual diversity, and as interprofessional collaborators with nurses and midwives in healthcare.Research design and participants:Using phenomenology, we interviewed eight healthcare chaplains from a variety of healthcare settings in the Republic of Ireland. Data were analysed using a seven-step framework comprising Moustakas’ (1994) modification of the Van Kaam method of data analysis.Ethical considerations:Ethical approval was granted by the university and the principles of informed consent applied.Findings:Three main themes emerged: what the chaplain brings; components of ritual, minority faith or no faith; and practising chaplaincy. Subthemes included ‘offering’, ‘awareness and insight’, ‘acceptance and empathy’, ‘skilled companionship’, ‘presence’, ‘a confidant and holder of hope’ and ‘a vital resource’.Discussion and conclusions:The healthcare chaplain is a key collaborator in facilitating holistic person-centred care and in supporting healthcare professionals. Chaplaincy services are an essential but largely unrecognised and potentially cost-effective component of interprofessional team working.Relevance to clinical practice:This study has illuminated key aspects of the healthcare chaplain’s role as interprofessional collaborator in person-centred care, in navigating diversity and ensuring respect and dignity for the person irrespective of religious or spiritual care needs.
ISSN:1477-0989
Contains:Enthalten in: Nursing ethics
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/0969733020981746