"Essential Not Optional": Spiritual Care in Australia during a Pandemic

Heather Tan; Cheryl Holmes; Eleanor Flynn; Leila Karimi

doi:10.1177/1542305020985071

"Essential Not Optional": Spiritual Care in Australia during a Pandemic

J Pastoral Care Counsel. 2021 Apr;75(1_suppl):41-45. doi: 10.1177/1542305020985071.

Authors

Heather Tan, Cheryl Holmes¹, Eleanor Flynn², Leila Karimi³

Affiliations

¹ Spiritual Health Association, Australia.
² University of Divinity, Australia.
³ College of Science, Health and Engineering School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Australia.

Abstract

This paper focuses on the impact of COVID19 in Australia. Three areas were investigated: professionalism, contrasting hospital and aged care services and "business as usual"? Impact was low overall, the timing being pre-second wave impact. Two areas of weakness were highlighted: depleted spiritual care teams due to standing down non-professional staff and uncertainty about the role of Chaplains in the care of other staff. Further study of second wave impact is recommended.

Keywords: Australia; COVID-19; Spiritual care; chaplaincy; pastoral care.

MeSH terms

Aged
Australia
COVID-19
Clergy / psychology*
Female
Health Services for the Aged*
Hospitals*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Pastoral Care / standards*
Professionalism*