title: Hand injuries--the chaplain's role in holistic patient care.
abstract: In this article, the emotional and pastoral needs of patients with hand injuries were evaluated in a hospital setting. Representative cases were used to illustrate patients' reactions to their inner conflicts. Over a 3-month period, 65 patients were seen: 42 with acute trauma and 23 with chronic hand surgery problems. Many of these patients expressed a need for emotional and pastoral support. The chaplain directed the hand surgery team in assisting individuals to deal with these issues.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D002604:Chaplaincy Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000523:psychology*; D006694:Holistic Health; D006748:Hospital Departments / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team