Pastoral Care & Clinical Pastoral Education: Home

Support Care Cancer. 2025 Mar 26;33(4):322. doi: 10.1007/s00520-025-09369-x.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To provide a preliminary description of the scope and nature of spiritual care services in outpatient oncology settings.

METHODS: Qualitative thematic analysis of data collected from three focus groups with chaplains representing 13 unique cancer centers.

RESULTS: Eight of 13 chaplain respondents (61.5%) reported that they provided spiritual care exclusively and in a full-time capacity to a cancer center; the remaining 5 (38.5%) had additional inpatient responsibilities. Chaplains visited between 4 and 10 patients per day depending on departmental policies and case acuity. Respondents identified patients for care in a wide variety of ways and described it as a time-intensive aspect of their job. Chaplains noted providing traditional spiritual care and developing innovative strategies/techniques. Most spiritual care relationships were long-term and often focused on medical decision-making. Chaplains commonly faced organizational challenges and identified priorities for strengthening spiritual care integration in outpatient cancer care.

CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the provision of spiritual care in cancer centers differs widely, with chaplains frequently facing challenges with system integration. While chaplains consistently strive to build relationships with clinicians and effectively manage clinic workflows, more collaboration and strategic alignment are needed between chaplains, clinicians, and administrators to develop and advocate for outpatient oncology spiritual care.

PMID:40138045 | PMC:PMC11947033 | DOI:10.1007/s00520-025-09369-x

Cancer. 2025 Apr 1;131(7):e35797. doi: 10.1002/cncr.35797.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Spiritual care provided by chaplains plays a key role in cancer care in the United States, yet little is known about chaplaincy utilization among people of Dharmic religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism) with cancer.

METHODS: This multi-methods study reviewed the records of patients (aged 18 years and older) who were hospitalized at a dedicated cancer hospital (2015-2019) and conducted interviews with chaplains and adults of Dharmic religions (2020). Primary outcomes included measuring chaplaincy utilization (at least one chaplain visit) across different religions and identifying perceptions of chaplaincy. Secondary outcomes involved measuring unmet spiritual needs on admission, types of spiritual care needs, and variables associated with chaplaincy utilization.

RESULTS: Of 54,828 patients, 2% were of Dharmic religions (n = 1163; 58.4% Hindu, 33.2% Buddhist, 4.8% Sikh, 3.4% multiple, <1% Jain). Compared with others, those of Dharmic religions were younger (median age, 59 vs. 63 years; p < .001), predominantly East or South Asian (78.7% vs. 5.6%; p < .001), and had higher rates of advanced illness (22.6% vs. 15.2%; p < .001) but lower chaplaincy utilization (31.6% vs. 36.7%; p < .001). There were no significant differences in unmet spiritual needs on admission (Dharmic religions vs. others, 8.7% vs. 9.4%; p = .41). Ritual care was the most frequently documented spiritual care need (72%). Multivariable analysis indicated that longer length of stay, non-Dharmic religion, and advanced illness were associated with higher chaplaincy utilization. Themes identified from the interviews included unfamiliarity with chaplaincy, concerns about faith-discordant care, addressing spiritual care needs independently, and solutions for concordant care.

CONCLUSIONS: People of Dharmic religions with cancer were less likely to use chaplaincy services. Barriers included unfamiliarity and faith discordance. Spiritual care incorporating faith-specific resources is urgently needed.

PMID:40117339 | PMC:PMC11927932 | DOI:10.1002/cncr.35797

PLoS One. 2025 Mar 3;20(3):e0313602. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0313602. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Inpatient medical settings lack evidence-based spiritually integrated interventions to address patient care needs within a pluralistic religious landscape. To address this gap, CCSH™ (Compassion-Centered Spiritual Health) was developed to leverage the skillsets of healthcare chaplains to improve patient outcomes through spiritual consultation. Here, we report the results of a randomized, wait-list controlled, pre-registered (NCT03529812) study that evaluated the impact of CCSH on patient-reported depression and explored putative mediators of CCSH's effects.

METHOD: Chaplain residents were randomized to be trained in CCSH as part of their clinical pastoral education (CPE) residency in the fall (n = 8) or spring semester (n = 8). After fall training, all residents provided spiritual consultations with hospitalized patients (n = 119; n = 54 seen by CCSH-trained chaplains). Those not yet trained to deliver CCSH provided a traditional consult. Patients' pre-consult distress was measured using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer, and post-consult depression was measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Consults were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, and we conducted linguistic analyses using LIWC 2015 software to quantify chaplain linguistic behavior.

RESULTS: Patients seen by CCSH-trained chaplains had lower post-consult depression scores (M = 4.10, SD = 5.04) than patients who were seen by wait-listed chaplains (M = 6.12, SD = 5.08), after adjusting for pre-consult distress (p = .048). There was also a significant relationship between post-consult depression and chaplain LIWC clout scores (r = -0.24, p = .017), a linguistic measure thought to reflect the expressive confidence and other-oriented focus of the speaker. An exploratory mediation model revealed an indirect effect of CCSH on patient depression through chaplain clout language b = -0.11 (90% CI, -.257, -.003).

IMPLICATIONS: These data suggest that CCSH decreases patient depression among inpatients, in part due to CCSH-trained chaplains' use of more inclusive, confident, and other-oriented language. We connect these findings with current understandings of effective clinical linguistic behavior and reflect on what this work may mean for integrated spiritual health care.

PMID:40029890 | PMC:PMC11875371 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0313602

J Relig Health. 2025 Apr;64(2):1031-1046. doi: 10.1007/s10943-025-02255-0. Epub 2025 Feb 25.

ABSTRACT

This ecumenical White Paper aims to clarify the profile of Christian healthcare chaplaincy in a context of rapidly changing healthcare systems. The increasing complexity and specialization of healthcare, the shift towards outpatient care, mounting economic pressures, the demographic and epidemiological transitions towards chronic and elderly care, and global health crises are profoundly transforming and challenging Christian healthcare chaplaincy. At the same time, the societal context of healthcare chaplaincy is also changing rapidly. While church resources and influence are declining, spiritual and religious diversification is on the rise. This paper engages with this rapid change as a moment of opportunity. It addresses the role of Christian healthcare chaplains in a time of change and clarifies their theological basis, their professional competencies, and the future of their education and training.

PMID:39998765 | PMC:PMC11950056 | DOI:10.1007/s10943-025-02255-0

J Relig Health. 2025 Apr;64(2):1047-1067. doi: 10.1007/s10943-024-02228-9. Epub 2024 Dec 30.

ABSTRACT

Healthcare chaplains may be at heightened risk of encountering potentially morally injurious events. The purpose of the current study was to explore potentially morally injurious events for healthcare chaplains and to identify strategies to enhance health and well-being. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare chaplains (n = 26) across Texas. Participants were recruited across social media, professional listservs, and word of mouth. Textual data were coded and analyzed in conjunction with directed content analysis. Findings suggest that healthcare chaplains encounter morally injurious events that are rooted in acts of omission and commission, witnessing moral transgressions, and betrayal in the workplace. Interventions include dialog with colleagues and supervisors, collaborative and transparent communication, education, and empowerment and advocacy. The study's findings have implications for interdisciplinary care teams, hospital leadership, and professional associations.

PMID:39739158 | DOI:10.1007/s10943-024-02228-9

Tumori. 2025 Feb;111(1):6-10. doi: 10.1177/03008916241299616. Epub 2024 Dec 9.

ABSTRACT

This article analyses the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in health pastoral care, emphasizing the synergy between technology and spirituality. This paper discusses possible AI applications, highlighting the importance of ethical implementation that respects human interactions. Ethical issues like privacy and empathy are examined, as well as the potential of AI in facilitating collaboration between healthcare professionals and pastoral workers. Finally, it calls for a debate on the responsible use of AI in care contexts.

PMID:39654270 | DOI:10.1177/03008916241299616

J Health Care Chaplain. 2025 Apr-Jun;31(2):161-174. doi: 10.1080/08854726.2024.2431471. Epub 2024 Dec 3.

ABSTRACT

The complexity of patient care demands that health care teams collaborate effectively. This means that when pastoral care staff engage with patients, they need to communicate their findings to other members of the multidisciplinary team to maximize patient benefits. In 2016, an Australian hospital found that pastoral care staff were able to visit only 30% of admitted patients, and that documentation of pastoral care visits was minimal. This paper describes and measures the impact of a quality improvement education program for pastoral care workers by auditing patient medical records pre- and post-intervention. The intervention did not significantly increase the number of pastoral care visits or referrals. Documentation of pastoral care visits was significantly improved in terms of the detail provided. More work is required to standardize indications for pastoral care referral and templates for pastoral documentation in patient medical records.

PMID:39624943 | DOI:10.1080/08854726.2024.2431471

J Relig Health. 2025 Apr;64(2):1068-1086. doi: 10.1007/s10943-024-02185-3. Epub 2024 Nov 29.

ABSTRACT

This article explores the challenges faced by a multifaith chaplaincy team in a Dutch health care organization when searching for a shared professional identity regarding the role of worldview and religion. Using boundary theory, we show how the diverse worldviews and the contradictory visions on their role for chaplaincy's professional identity led to misunderstandings and conflict. However, open and respectful dialogue about these differences helped clarify disagreements and identify common ground. The findings suggest that in secular contexts worldview remains significant in chaplaincy and that engaging in dialogue about worldviews and seeking connections across differences is the basis for a shared professional identity.

PMID:39613936 | PMC:PMC11950047 | DOI:10.1007/s10943-024-02185-3

J Pastoral Care Counsel. 2024 Dec;78(4):178-187. doi: 10.1177/15423050241291581. Epub 2024 Nov 8.

ABSTRACT

The Pastoral Care department at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore embarked on an evidence-based practice (EBP) project to identify best practices for improving nurses' well-being. This article describes the EBP model and its application. The project resulted in increased nurse awareness of the chaplain's role, nurses' confidence in using chaplain services, and nurses' well-being. The project's success indicates the value of chaplains learning an EBP model and incorporating it into their practice.

PMID:39512126 | DOI:10.1177/15423050241291581

J Pastoral Care Counsel. 2024 Dec;78(4):133-143. doi: 10.1177/15423050241296487. Epub 2024 Nov 8.

ABSTRACT

While the relationship between crime, prisons and religion has been the subject of extensive research, the contemporary role and impact of prison chaplaincy remains a relatively under-explored area of study. This systematic literature review explored the role and impact of the prison chaplain. The role included pastoral and emotional support as well as religious, practical, and educational input. The impact included rehabilitation, creation of communities, calm, forgiveness and atonement.

PMID:39512119 | DOI:10.1177/15423050241296487

J Relig Health. 2024 Dec;63(6):4049-4054. doi: 10.1007/s10943-024-02172-8.

ABSTRACT

This issue commences with a bibliometric analysis of the top 100 most cited articles on religion. It then presents the first of a two-part series relating to research from Poland and progresses to examine the relevance of religion and spirituality to public health. Finally, this issue revisits the long-established and productive discipline of healthcare chaplaincy and various factors relating to parish clergy. A new theme of mindfulness and prayer is also introduced.

PMID:39509003 | DOI:10.1007/s10943-024-02172-8

J Pastoral Care Counsel. 2024 Dec;78(4):188-195. doi: 10.1177/15423050241296785. Epub 2024 Nov 5.

ABSTRACT

In this article, we present a model of chaplaincy in a secular age which includes, in one coherent system: domain, goal and an intervention pathway. The domain is presented as the process of "responding to life itself". A corresponding goal of chaplaincy is considered in the context of "existential well-being". This goal can be achieved through the proposed "The Ritual Bath Model" based on these new defined concepts.

PMID:39497556 | PMC:PMC11616222 | DOI:10.1177/15423050241296785

AMA J Ethics. 2024 Nov 1;26(11):E892-895. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2024.892.

ABSTRACT

This anecdote of one regional academic health network's reputational demise suggests what might be learned about tendencies of undervaluing chaplaincy expertise, peace, and quiet in the everyday operations of professional caregiving.

PMID:39495649 | DOI:10.1001/amajethics.2024.892

J Relig Health. 2024 Dec;63(6):4549-4558. doi: 10.1007/s10943-024-02118-0. Epub 2024 Nov 3.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to assess the association between nurse religiosity and decision to consult spiritual care services at a hospital in the western USA. An anonymous survey was distributed to assess nurses' reports of whether they would request spiritual care services across different scenarios. Out of 171 nurses approached to participate in this survey, fifty-one nurses completed the survey and half of respondents considered themselves religious. Compared to non-religious nurses, religious nurses reported greater likelihood to contact a chaplain across a variety of patient and family scenarios, including when a patient has a new diagnosis, is anxious or depressed, or has a challenging family situation.

PMID:39488634 | DOI:10.1007/s10943-024-02118-0

J Pastoral Care Counsel. 2024 Dec;78(4):196-197. doi: 10.1177/15423050241293665. Epub 2024 Oct 29.

ABSTRACT

As an interfaith hospital chaplain and a Christian, navigating the profound emotional terrain of grief and loss is both a professional duty and a deeply personal journey. Attending the funerals of two close friends has brought out the interplay between my role as a spiritual caregiver and my own vulnerability. In reflection, I realize the importance of self-care and the reminder that in offering comfort and empathy, I must first find it within myself.

PMID:39469793 | DOI:10.1177/15423050241293665