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The aim of this pilot study was to test an effort to provide spiritual care (SC) to oncology outpatients in the Ascension healthcare system. Medical providers referred patients who would benefit from spiritual and emotional support. Twenty-seven cancer outpatients from 5 states were enrolled in the project. Based on the chaplain assessment, 45% of the patients had moderate or severe spiritual concerns. On average patients had 4 sessions with a chaplain (range 2-9). Of the 136 chaplain sessions, 56% were in-person in the clinic and 35% were by phone. The most common chaplain activities were active listening (87% of the sessions) and demonstrate caring and concern (55%). For the 20 patients who provided follow-up data, there were decreases in all measures of religious/spiritual distress, though statistically insignificant, and a marginally significant increase ( p < .054) in well-being. The study adds to the emerging literature that describes the importance of SC in the outpatient context.

Background: There has been a lack of research so far on spirituality and trauma. There has been some indication that religion and spirituality are resources in protection against burnout., Objective: The aim of this study was to understand the phenomenon of spirituality in the context of vicarious trauma among trauma clinicians., Methods: This was a qualitative study based on hermeneutic phenomenological methodology. Individual interviews were conducted with 36 physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants on the relationship between their spirituality and trauma work., Results: Participants were recruited from a large Midwest metropolitan Level I trauma center and attendees at the 2018 Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma annual conference. Four patterns emerged from the interviews that transcended religious or spiritual affiliation and medical specialty. These included (1) the world of trauma; (2) religious or spiritual beliefs guiding their work; (3) the need for support systems; and (4) the importance of coping mechanisms., Conclusion: Religion or spirituality plays a role in underlying meaning making and, in the moment, coping for trauma professionals., Competing Interests: The author declares no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 The Author. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the Infusion Nurses Society.)

A study assessing the expectations patients and loved ones have of hospital chaplains was conducted at Ascension St. Vincent Indiana hospitals. In-person interviews were conducted with 452 patients and loved ones during an inpatient stay. The survey instrument was a modified version of a survey developed by Dr. Katherine Piderman of the Mayo Clinic. Participants answered questions regarding demographics, awareness of availability, expectations of visits, reasons for wanting to see a chaplain and gave feedback regarding visits if they had seen a chaplain. Results showed that patients and loved ones value chaplains with 93% saying they wanted a chaplain visit. This study was unique in seeking feedback from loved ones as well as patients. It may be equally important to reach out to loved ones during times of crisis when patients themselves are in surgery or sedated and loved ones are experiencing heightened anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]