Chaplaincy and resuscitation.
This paper summarises the results of 327 Australian health care chaplains with regard to their involvement in issues concerning Not For Resuscitation (NFR)/Do Not Attempt Resuscitate (DNAR) decisions within the health care context. The findings indicate that 24% of the chaplains surveyed had provided some form of pastoral intervention directly to patients and/or their families dealing with issues concerning NFR/DNAR and that approximately 18% of chaplains had assisted clinical staff with issues concerning NFR/DNAR decisions. Differences of involvement between volunteer and staff chaplains are noted, as are the perspectives of chaplaincy informants regarding their role in relation to NFR/DNAR decisions. Some implications of this study with respect to chaplaincy training and practice are noted.
Carey
Lindsay B
LB
Faculty Associate, Pallative Care, Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. lindsay.carey@defence.gov.au
Newell
Christopher J
CJ
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001315:Australia; D002604:Chaplaincy Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D002977:Clergy / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010327:Pastoral Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024382:Professional Role; D016414:Resuscitation Orders / Q000523:psychology