Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Authors:Sarah Bublitz, Benno Littger, Stefan Lorenzl, Piret Paal Abstract: This study explores the role of chaplaincy in an interprofessional home care team supporting patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Germany. Drawing on qualitative interviews with team members, we examine how the chaplain contributed to team development, spiritual care delivery and the cultivation of workplace spirituality and identified four themes: (1) positive perception of chaplaincy in the team; (2) chaplains as impulse givers; (3) chaplaincy works on multiple levels; and (4) challenges and learning need. Findings indicate that the chaplain played a key role in fostering reflection, enhancing team cohesion and supporting both patients and professionals in emotionally demanding situations. Based on thematic analysis, we propose a theoretical competency framework for chaplains in outpatient care settings, addressing both patient-facing and team-oriented dimensions of care. Expected competencies include communication skills, theological literacy and openness to interprofessional collaboration, as well as homecare-specific competence, encompassing adaptability and responsiveness to evolving needs of patients, families and the broader care team; reflective and ethical practice, including contributions to team-based ethical deliberation, value clarification and processing of moral distress; and workplace spirituality and team culture, referring to the chaplain’s role in strengthening interprofessional cohesion, facilitating team rituals and promoting workplace spirituality. This model may inform recruitment, training and professional development of chaplains in emerging fields such as neuropalliative care and offers insights from a Central European context, while highlighting chaplaincy’s evolving role in dynamic, collaborative healthcare environments. Keywords:Research Articles
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Engaging with the Suffering Other
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Authors:Wendy van der Geugten, Anne Goossensen, Gaby Jacobs Abstract: Chaplaincy care is often described as a relational and moral practice, which is based on an attitude of presence. Safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, challenged chaplains in reshaping their work. This article questions what characterized chaplains’ relational practice during the crisis, and what moral orientations helped them in maintaining or rebuilding this. In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 health care chaplains during the lock-down of Dutch nursing homes, spring 2020. Thematic analyses revealed six subthemes as part of the overarching theme of ‘engagement with the suffering other’. Participants had to overcome moral challenges which required a reorientation or revaluation of their standards of care. Although the research focused on these particular COVID-19 circumstances, the relational work and accompanying moral perspectives is intrinsically tied to chaplaincy practice. Moreover, the study points to the need for attention to moral dilemmas and meaning-seeking processes of the chaplains themselves in crisis situations. Keywords:Research Articles
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Availability, Usability, and Commercialization of Digital Spiritual Care Educational Resources for Healthcare Professionals
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Authors:Reinhard Grabenweger, Sara Sitefane, Fabian Winiger, Ana Afonso, Christina Prinds, Isabel Rabiais, Sílvia Caldeira, Piret Paal Abstract: International discourse on effective educational practices in spiritual care has highlighted the potential of online programmes to enhance learning and contribute to sustained spiritual care provision. This scoping review aims to map existing digital education resources for spiritual care generalists and specialists, with a focus on their usability and commercialization. A comprehensive, multilingual search was conducted across four databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science Core Collection and PsycINFO), supplemented by a systematized search of grey literature. The review identified a wide range of digital learning programs that vary in format, target audience, and geographic origin. Considerable variation was found in terms of usability features and commercial availability. However, the multitude of programs contrasts with a notable lack of scientific evaluation of their effectiveness. The extent to which these digital resources support sustainable spiritual care delivery within healthcare settings remains unclear. Keywords:Articles
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Enhancing Support for Caregivers and Patients through TeleSpiritual Health and Digital Innovations
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Authors:Terra Tindle Williams, Sherri Brewer, Charlie Shin, Lisa Barrett-Kelly Abstract: Providence St Joseph Health System recognized the need for spiritual health support for caregivers after the COVID-19 pandemic. TeleSpiritual Health was introduced to provide chaplain support through video calls, benefiting over 800 caregivers thus far. The platform utilized for TeleSpiritual Health houses a digital front door for screening, FAQs, prayer requests and appointment booking. Over 3,000 caregivers have been screened for spiritual health, and hundreds of prayer requests were received. Given its success, TeleSpiritual Health was expanded to patients at three clinics in Portland, Oregon. In patient care, spiritual screening questions are sent via MyChart, and virtual visits are conducted using Epic’s Zoom integration. The service aims to bridge gaps in patient access to spiritual health support. Digital solutions have improved data collection, analysis and quality improvement, emphasizing the importance of leveraging technology to enhance chaplain support for caregivers and patients. Keywords:Articles
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Acceptability of Digital Spiritual Care
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Authors:Fabian Winiger, Jörg Schneider, Simon Peng-Keller Abstract: This study aims to, first, measure previous experience with and acceptance of digital spiritual care in a healthcare context, and to identify related sociodemographic characteristics and religious/spiritual factors. Secondly, it explores the reasons related to the acceptability of different models of digital spiritual care during or after hospitalization following severe illness or accident. A two-phase sequential explanatory mixed methods design was used based on a representative population survey of the Swiss canton of Zurich (N = 1,011) and semi-structured interviews (n = 12) using scenario-based discussion. A linear regression model was calculated to identify the effects of experience with digital spiritual care, sociodemographic variables, and self-assessed religiosity/spirituality on acceptance. Interviews were coded deductively considering the respondent’s view of the acceptance of each model and the reasons for it in different situations, perceived advantages and disadvantages, and other points of importance in a potential use case. Acceptance is significantly related to age and previous experience, including experience with professional and self-care using digital tools. As shown in the qualitative phase, acceptance further varies according to the model of care (supplemental, hybrid, digital-only), the affordances of the technology in question, and context-specific factors. Keywords:Articles
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Setting up a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Staff Listening Service at an Acute University Teaching Hospital
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Authors:Sarah Crane, Daniel Nuzum Abstract: This paper is written to describe the establishment and ongoing sustaining of a chaplaincy-led peer-to-peer (P2P) listening service in an acute National Health Service (NHS) Trust in the United Kingdom, which was implemented as a service improvement. It considers the value of compassionate listening within the context of loneliness evidenced in the general population and the documented occupational burden of working in the health service. It reflects on how a peer listening service has been developed and shaped by the role and values of chaplaincy and spiritual care, and delivered by a range of healthcare disciplines and roles. This service has had 6,771 contacts with staff, with 34% being primarily work-related. Recommendations are made for a dedicated team to lead a new service such as this and the positive impact of peer-to-peer listening for healthcare staff wellbeing. Keywords:Articles
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Henry G. Covert (2022) Ministry to the Incarcerated
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Authors:Marcin Wnuk Abstract: Prayer is an effective way of coping, leading to beneficial outcomes. Alcohol-dependent participants of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) use prayer to build a bond with God, which is an important factor in well-being and sobriety maintenance. This study aimed to verify the underlying mechanism of the relationship between prayer as an antecedent of God’s support and life satisfaction and the role of hope and stress. In this cross-sectional study, 115 individuals from Poland attending AA meetings participated. The mechanisms underlying the link between prayer and life satisfaction were confirmed. The beneficial role of hope in the life satisfaction of AA participants from Poland was proven. Prayer was both directly and indirectly associated with life satisfaction. Prayer, as a positive antecedent of God’s support, was indirectly related to hope, which in turn correlated directly positively with both life satisfaction and satisfaction with different domains of life and indirectly through stress. Prayer, as a spiritual practice and a significant way to bond with God, should be used as an essential factor for both religiously committed and religiously skeptical individuals addicted to alcohol to improve their life satisfaction by shaping hope and effectively managing stress. Keywords:Articles
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A Taxonomic Approach to Introducing Spiritual Care in Healthcare Settings
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Authors:Young Yoon Abstract: When chaplains introduce spirituality to medical professionals, a common approach is to contrast it with religion, rather than extensively elaborating on the conceptual nuances of spirituality as it is specifically used in healthcare settings. This oversimplification may not capture the full complexity of patients' experiences of connectedness with self, others, nature, or the sacred. In this paper, I propose a taxonomy of individual spirituality that moves beyond dichotomous thinking, offering a framework for understanding spirituality as a dynamic, multifaceted aspect of human life. This taxonomy identifies three key dimensions: prescriptive and descriptive characteristics, communal and individual practices, and vertical and horizontal transcendence. Each dimension functions as a spectrum, allowing chaplains to assess and address the unique spiritual needs of patients based on their lived experiences during health crises. Keywords:Articles
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Digital Technologies and Online Tools in Spiritual Care Education and Training in Nursing, Chaplaincy and Other Healthcare Professions
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Authors:Sara Sitefane, Ana Afonso, Reinhard Grabenweger, Isabel Rabiais , Piret Paal, Sílvia Caldeira Abstract: Spirituality and spiritual care are integral to holistic healthcare, requiring collaboration among healthcare and chaplains or other religious professionals. The European Association for Palliative Care highlights the multidimensional nature of spiritual care, with the EPICC project advancing nursing education in this area. Integrating technology into spiritual care education should be considered for nursing curricula. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methodology, this review maps evidence on using digital technology and online tools in spiritual care education and training. The literature search was conducted on CINHAL Complete, Medline Complete, PubMed, and Web of Science (2010-2024). Thirteen reports across various countries were included, involving nurses, medical professionals, chaplains, and other healthcare students/professionals. Findings indicate the available technology and online tools in spiritual care education and training and how their incorporation in curricula can enhance the overall learning experience. Keywords:Articles
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Ukrainian Military Chaplaincy in War
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Authors:Jan Grimell Abstract: This article is the second in a two-part series on military chaplaincy in war-torn Ukraine. While the first article (Grimell, 2024a) provided background information, including empirical interview data on military chaplaincy in Ukraine, this second article focuses on the lessons learned by Ukrainian military chaplains (MCs). Both articles are based on a recent qualitative interview study exploring the roles, practices and insights of Ukrainian MCs during wartime, addressing a significant gap in existing research. Twelve male MCs (n = 12) participated in the study, with most having served on the frontlines since the onset of the war in 2014. The interview data were analysed using an inductive approach to thematic analysis. This article (Part 2) covers the insights and lessons learned by Ukrainian MCs, detailing their work in morality, ethics and character formation, their supportive presence within military units and the essential role of confidentiality as a release valve for military personnel. The analysis also examines complex spiritual and existential challenges faced by MCs, the personal impacts of the war on them and their methods for sustaining spiritual resilience and well-being. Findings highlight the critical, adaptable support that MCs provide to military personnel under extreme conditions, and they reveal how the wartime context has shaped their collaboration with mental health providers. The study also identifies desired qualities in wartime MCs and underscores the importance of church and religious organizations in supporting grieving families, and in facilitating social and charitable activities. This research provides unique insights into the chaplaincy work of some of the most experienced wartime MCs in Ukraine. Keywords:Research Articles
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Military Chaplaincy, Moral Injury, Pastoral Narrative Disclosure, Bereavement and Spiritual Research Contamination
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Authors:Lindsay B Carey Pages: 99 - 105 Abstract: This issue of Health and Social Care Chaplaincy presents research regarding the work of Ukrainian military chaplains at war. It also presents findings from the Australian Chaplaincy Moral Injury Skills Training (MIST) and Pastoral Narrative Disclosure (PND) programme for health and social care chaplains caring for veterans and/or first responder personnel on how to address issues relating to their occupational moral injury. In line with these topics, this issue also considers chaplaincy within the healthcare context providing support for families experiencing bereavement following a major trauma. Last, and by no means least, a warning is presented regarding the increasing use of contaminated scales in spirituality-related research. Keywords:Editorial
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Pastoral Narrative Disclosure
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Authors:Lindsay B Carey, Matthew Bambling, Timothy J Hodgson, Nikki Jamieson, Melissa G Bakhurst, Harold G Koenig Pages: 165 - 190 Abstract: This study presents a community chaplaincy evaluation of pastoral narrative disclosure (PND) as a structured intervention for addressing moral injury (MI) among individuals who have experienced morally injurious events. Pastoral narrative disclosure is an evidence-based, eight-stage pastoral counselling, guidance and education framework that integrates the principles of both adaptive disclosure and confessional narrative. Previously, PND training was evaluated exclusively among Australian military chaplains (n = 201; Carey et al., 2024). In contrast, this evaluation focuses on community chaplains (n = 76), representing diverse organizations in Australia, including police, healthcare, welfare, prison, school, ambulance and veteran sectors. All participating community chaplains completed the Australian Defence Force Chaplaincy Moral Injury Skills Training (MIST) programme, culminating in the final praxis stage of PND. The evaluation revealed high overall satisfaction with the MIST-PND strategy, with participants reporting a mean satisfaction score of 4.88 out of 5 (n = 76), aligning closely with the satisfaction ratings obtained from military chaplains (' = 4.73/5; n = 201). Qualitative feedback was thematically collated, indicating widespread satisfaction with the (i) MIST programme, (ii) PND strategy, (iii) presenters and (iv) practical application role-plays. A diverse range of suggestions are also noted for potential improvement. Overall, the findings are consistent with those from the military chaplaincy evaluation, highlighting the utility of PND within community contexts. Despite several limitations, the results support the broader application of PND in addressing MI, particularly in community health, veteran and welfare settings, as well as among first responders. These findings justify further implementation of PND and additional research to assess its effectiveness across non-military sectors. Keywords:Articles
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Jamieson, N. (2023). Darkest Before Dawn: Australian Veterans’ Accounts of Moral Injury
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Authors:Darren Cronshaw Pages: 231 - 234 Abstract: Chapa, J.O. (2022). Is Remote Warfare Moral' Weighing Issues of Life + Death from 7,000 Miles. New York: PublicAffairs, Hachette Book Group, 288 pp. (hbk). ISBN: 9781541774452. Keywords:Book Reviews
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Ukrainian Military Chaplaincy in War
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Authors:Jan Grimell Abstract: This article is the first of two (Part 1 and Part 2) that shed light on military chaplaincy in war-torn Ukraine. The first article introduces military chaplaincy in Ukraine and sets the stage for Part 2, which focuses on the lessons learned by Ukrainian military chaplains (MCs). The articles are based on interviews exploring the roles, practices and insights of Ukrainian MCs during wartime, addressing a significant gap in the existing research. Twelve male MCs participated in the study. Most of the participants had served on the frontlines since the onset of the war in 2014, while a few joined more recently, bringing a range of experiences, religious affiliations and branches of service (Army, Navy and Air Force). The interview data were analysed using thematic analysis with an inductive approach. This first article presents the development, roles and tasks of military chaplaincy, covering the volunteer phase that began in 2014 and the professionalization of military chaplaincy starting in 2022 and beyond. It also illustrates how MCs operated in both non-combat and combat situations with their units. This research offers unique insights into the chaplaincy work of some of the most experienced wartime MCs. Keywords:Research Articles
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Digital Spiritual Care: A Special Issue
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Authors:Matthew Bambling Abstract: This article explores the pervasive issue of scale contamination and its impact on construct validity in mental health, social science, and spirituality-related research. Scale contamination occurs when measurement tools designed to assess one specific domain inadvertently incorporate elements from unrelated constructs, leading to confusion regarding what the scale is actually measuring. The blending of distinct psychological domains, such as depression, anxiety and well-being, undermines measurement precision, leading to skewed research conclusions and misguided clinical practices. The failure to detect or address contamination can perpetuate errors in treatment efficacy, particularly in areas such as mental health and spirituality, where precise measurement is crucial. This article emphasizes the importance of ensuring construct validity, which refers to the accurate measurement of specific concepts such as moral injury or posttraumatic stress disorder, and it highlights the risk of conflating distinct constructs. The widespread use of contaminated scales, often adopted without critical evaluation, poses a significant threat to the integrity of research outcomes. In order to address these challenges, this study advocates for rigorous scale development and validation processes, encouraging researchers, peer reviewers and journal editors to scrutinize the psychometric properties of scales. By ensuring that scales measure only the intended constructs, future research can produce more accurate and meaningful results, leading to improved clinical interventions and policy decisions. Keywords:Research Articles
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Influences on Bereaved Family Uptake of Chaplaincy Support when Viewing the Deceased Person
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Authors:Peter Kevern, Wendy Walker, Jennifer Jones, Stacey Owen, Nikolaos Efstathiou Abstract: It is a belief widely held that hospital chaplains have a role to play in supporting bereaved relatives of patients, but research on the subject is sparse. The aim of this study was to examine factors that apparently influenced the decision to accept or refuse the offer of chaplaincy support through a case series study of ten bereaved family members who accessed an in-hospital “supported viewing service” following the sudden or unexpected death from natural causes of an adult relative. Data gathered at a UK hospital between October 2022 and April 2023 were subjected to qualitative content analysis. Analysis of the interview data yielded four categories that governed the decision: (1) Who decides' (2) Who benefits' (3) Role of religious preference and context. (4) Positive reasons for rejection. These indicate that the response to the offer of prayer is contingent on details of the biographical, temporal, social and religious context which need to be considered when the offer is made. Keywords:Research Articles
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Grebe, M., and Grössl, J. (2023). T&T Clark Handbook of Suffering and the Problem of Evil
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Authors:Jacob M Appel Abstract: Klitzman, R. L. (2024). Doctor, Will You Pray for Me' Medicine, Chaplains, and Healing the Whole Person. New York: Oxford University Press, 300 pp. (pbk). ISBN: 9780197750841. Keywords:Book Reviews
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Hybrid journal (It can contain Open Access articles)
