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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| Contributors: | ; ; ; ; |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
2021
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| 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 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| 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. |
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| ISSN: | 1477-0989 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Nursing ethics
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1177/0969733020981746 |