SACH
Scottish Journal of Healthcare Chaplaincy
Vol 13 No 2 November 2010
Editorial
‘Almost without exception those who survive a tragedy give credit to one person who stood by them, supported them, and gave them a sense of hope'.
Robert Veninga
One of the key aspects of healthcare chaplaincy, which motivates, energises and sustains, is the appreciation of those moments when one makes a positive influence on someone's life. It is a gift that we may be that one person who stands by, supports and gives a sense of hope. A chaplain has the listening and linguistic skills to understand a pastoral situation and the confidence and the time to bring a voice of hope.
This edition of the journal has a range of articles that illustrate the depth of listening, reflection and the repertoire of language that healthcare chaplains need to be aware of and proficient in if they are to work confidently within the healthcare community, with patient complexity and on the margins of the faith communities.
Listening to critical friends and working towards ‘a language of the spirit' is an essential skill. Peter Kevern offers a detailed response to John Paley's strong critique of spirituality as being ‘artificial, unnecessary and obscurantist: a minority interest which therefore does not have a secure place in healthcare'. Kevern argues that it is not a case of either or but that reductionism and spirituality can go hand in hand. He offers a model of chaplaincy that gives a clearer and more defined role.
Jayne James, Elita Cottle and Debbie Hodge build on the strengths of our research edition, 13(1), and offer any budding researcher a model of good practice. Their first paper describes the background and the choice of methodology to examine the role of the Family Support Person during family witnessed resuscitation, and then their second paper showing how research effectively informs practice.
If communication skills are at the heart of the therapeutic relationship, then Anne Marie Brandon drawing from the field of psychology and Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) offers some insight into the art of communication. If healthcare professionals know themselves and know their patients better then deeper and more creative communication will occur.
John Sherbourne, Graeme Hancocks and Chris Swift explore the interface between chaplaincy and a faith community in England evidencing the need for respect and support. In a similar vein, David Hobden brings to the fore an often hidden dimension to chaplaincy: ethics. Focussing on the flu pandemic Hobden shows how chaplains who are sensitive to ethical frameworks can effectively contribute to some wider discussions within the multidisciplinary team regarding the complexity of healthcare provision.
The ability to participate in critical philosophical debate about role or about a language of the spirit; to be sensitive to psychological insights; to be confident in the language of research and ethical frameworks and to be sure about relationship with the faith communities is the bread and butter of chaplaincy.
At the end of the day all of these critical listening, research and linguistic skills are to enable chaplains to get alongside the patient or family member who is in need of our care.
The ability of a chaplain to be the one person who stands by, supports or brings hope is neither accidental nor rare. Transforming encounters emerge again and again out of the everyday situations in which we find ourselves immersed. The unique role of healthcare chaplains is that they can work on the edge, out of their comfort zones, where people are desperate. Two wonderful illustrations of this are found in Catherine Harkin's ‘The Gift of desperation' and David Barnett's ‘What do chaplain's do?' Two reflections emerging from the reality of lived experience, which inspire and encourage.
I hope that you enjoy and are stimulated.
Ian Stirling Editor
Can Reductionists be Chaplains too?
Reflections on the vacuousness of ‘spirituality'
Peter Kevern
Abstract: This paper takes as its starting point Paley's critique that the term ‘spirituality' in health care is artificial, unnecessary and obscurantist; and his conclusion that healthcare providers should abandon it to focus their resources on exclusively materialist ways of addressing the same issues. Accepting the force of Paley's critique and his conclusions, the author nevertheless argues that reductionist and ‘spiritual' approaches to patient care are not mutually exclusive. They can be brought into a fruitful relationship through the use of resources that Paley himself commends. This means that his arguments can be understood to strengthen rather than weaken the case for a parallel chaplaincy provision; and help to define the role and purpose of chaplaincy in an avowedly secular organization.
Keywords: health, spirituality, reductionist, materialist, ‘positive illusions', religion
Pages 2-8
Peter Kevern is a former lecturer at Queens
A phenomenological exploration of Health Care Chaplains (HCC's) and Registered Nurses (RN's) support of family members during resuscitation of their loved one
Part 1: background and methodology.
Jayne James, Elita Cottle & Debbie Hodge
Abstract: : This paper explores the background to the development of the role of the family support person (FSP) during family witnessed resuscitation in the acute care setting. The focus of this study is on the experiences of this role from the perspective of both the Healthcare Chaplain and Registered Nurse. There are some merits and limitations to family member's presence during this procedure. The role of the FSP in supporting family members has not been previously explored therefore a qualitative approach was undertaken. Seven in-depth interviews were conducted, transcribed verbatim and analysed. Further quantitative studies are warranted to explore this issue further .
Keywords: family support person, resuscitation, healthcare chaplain, registered nurse
Pages 9-13
Jayne James Senior Lecturer in Nursing MSc Nursing, ONC, Cert Ed, RGN,
Elita Cottle Junior Sister Royal United Hospital Bath BSc Hons Adult Nursing, PG Cert Specialist practice, RGN
Reverend Debbie Hodge Masters in Theology, BSc Nursing, PGDE RGN
The experiences of Health Care Chaplains (HCC's) and Registered Nurses (RN's) of supporting family members during resuscitation of their loved one
Part 2: results and recommendations
Debbie Hodge, Jayne James & Elita Cottle
Abstract: The role of the Family Support Person (FSP) in supporting family members during resuscitation of their loved one has not been previously explored. The results of this study indicate there are key areas of this role both in terms of their support to the family member and in terms of personal impact. The key themes which emerged included the importance of ongoing assessment, choice, navigating the setting, the importance of providing a commentary of events, issues surrounding coming to terms with death and conflicts and support mechanisms. It is suggested there is a need for interdisciplinary approach to preparation, on -going education and support for this role. Further research is required to determine to what extent HCC's are providing this role within the UK setting .
Key Words: Family witnessed resuscitation, family support person, Registered Nurse, Health Care Chaplain
Pages 14-18
Reverend Debbie Hodge Masters in Theology, BSc Nursing, PGDE RGN
Jayne James Senior Lecturer in Nursing MSc Nursing, ONC, Cert Ed, RGN,
Elita Cottle Junior Sister Royal United Hospital Bath BSc Hons Adult Nursing, PG Cert Specialist practice, RGN
For correspondence Jayne James, The Firs 45 Church Road Peasedown Saint John Bath BA28AA Jayne.James@uwe.ac.uk Tel 07803250274
Use of MBTI Personality Typing as an Aid to Communication when Dealing with Spiritual Injury/ Distress in Specialist Palliative Care
Anne Marie Brandon
Abstract: This article seeks to explore the benefits of awareness of personality typing theory, as described by Jung and further by Briggs and Briggs Myers, in the context of communicating with patients in the setting of Specialist Palliative Care. In particular, dealing with the issue of spiritual injury/distress is considered. A brief summary of how the different dichotomies of Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) for personality type can influence how a person interacts with their surrounding world is offered. Finally, there is an examination of how knowledge and understanding of this theory might aid communication.
Key words: Communication, Spiritual Injury/Distress, Jung's Theory of personality type, MBTI, Specialist Palliative Care
Pages 19-24
Dr Anne Marie Brandon is a Staff Grade Physician at St Andrew's Hospice, Airdrie
Respect and support: just two of the reasons why female C of E clergy choose health care chaplaincy over parish ministry
John Sherbourne, Graeme Hancocks & Chris Swift
Abstract: This article examines the results of a unique research project carried out by CREDO (the Chaplaincy Research Education and Development Office) in the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust into the factors and that lead female Church of England clergy into employment in health care chaplaincy. It complements a paper previously published in the journal Practical Theology (Vol 1, no. 2, 2008) which reported on the opinions and experiences of Anglican male health care chaplains. Although its findings are based on a relatively small sample (the experiences of just 39 female health care chaplains) when set against their recollections of time spent in parochial ministry the research does nevertheless identify several areas of very real concern. This paper examines a whole raft of topics including: personal circumstances; positive or negative experiences towards parish and sector ministry and attitudes towards ministry and the church/health care provider. The survey concludes that while many female clergy may feel they had a good experience of parochial ministry, with hindsight a number of key issues now make their perception of the institutionalised church markedly negative.
Key Words: Church of England, female healthcare chaplains, ministry, support, respect
Pages 25-29
John Sherbourne, Honorary Trust Chaplain, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Email j.sherbourne@ntlworld.com Graeme Hancocks, Trust Chaplain Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Email graeme.hancocks@leedsth.nhs.uk Chris Swift, Head of Chaplaincy Services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and former President of the College of Health Care Chaplains. Email chris.swift@leedsth.nhs.uk
Flu pandemic and possible ethical dilemmas
a note for Chaplains
David Hobden
Abstract: : The author explores ethical principles and frameworks which may inform decision-making during a flu pandemic. Critical awareness of such ethical frameworks can aid healthcare chaplains in their engagement with pastoral issues.
Pages 30-33
David Hobden is chaplain at The Royal Surrey Hospital.
REFLECTIVE PRACTICE
In this new section of the journal, those involved in the delivery of Spiritual Care, Religious Care, or Healthcare Chaplaincy are invited to share their experience of practice by way of reflection, case study, discussion of current issues or response to previous articles.
The Gift of Desperation
Catherine Harkin
Page35-35
What do chaplains do?
David Barnett
Pages 36-40
THE ORERE SOURCE
Attribution: The creator of these pastoral abstracts is the Rev. W. Noel Brown, a retired Presbyterian minister, and hospital chaplain-supervisor. He was formerly chairman of the Standards Committee of A.C.P.E. and is a board-certified chaplain of the Association of Professional Chaplains.
he abstracts are held in the database of The Orere Source . It currently contains over 17,500 abstracts from the pastoral care literature and health-care literature which has implications for the continuing education of chaplains. Further information may be obtained from: < oreresource@rocketmail.com >
Pages 41-48
Book Reviews
Hospital Chaplaincy in the Twenty-first Century: The Crisis of Spiritual Care on the NHS.
Christopher Swift, Ashgate
ISBN: 978 0 7546 6416 1
A Creative Guide To Exploring Your Life
Graham Gordon Ramsay and Holly Barlow Sweet Jessica Kingsley
ISBN 9781843108924
Spiritual Assessment in Healthcare Practice
Eds Wilfred McSherry and Linda Ross 2010
ISBN: 978-1-905539-27-7
M&K publishing Keswick
174 pages
Pages 49-51