Staff Perceptions of Chaplains in a Neurosciences Critical Care Unit

Taylor E Purvis; Brittany Powell; Gail Biba; Deena Conti; Thomas Y Crowe; Heather Thomas; J Ricardo Carhuapoma; John Probasco; Paula Teague; Deanna Saylor

doi:10.1007/s10943-019-00935-2

Staff Perceptions of Chaplains in a Neurosciences Critical Care Unit

J Relig Health. 2019 Dec;58(6):2086-2094. doi: 10.1007/s10943-019-00935-2.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans Street, Osler 101, Baltimore, MD, 21287-0019, USA. taylorpurvismd@gmail.com.
² Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA.
³ Department of Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans Street, Osler 101, Baltimore, MD, 21287-0019, USA.

PMID: 31650380
DOI: 10.1007/s10943-019-00935-2

Abstract

Hospital chaplains often visit critically ill patients, but neurosciences critical care unit (NCCU) staff beliefs surrounding chaplains have not been characterized. In this study, we used Qualtrics^® to survey 70 NCCU healthcare workers about their attitudes toward chaplains in the NCCU. Chaplains were seen positively by staff but were less likely to be viewed as part of the care team by staff with more than five years of NCCU experience. The results of this study will allow chaplaincy programs to target staff education efforts in order to enhance the care provided to patients in critical care settings.

Keywords: Chaplain; Critical care; Neurologic critical care; Nurses; Staff.

MeSH terms

Attitude of Health Personnel*
Chaplaincy Service, Hospital*
Clergy
Critical Care
Humans
Intensive Care Units
Neurosciences*
Pastoral Care*