title: Professional chaplains in comprehensive patient-centered care.
abstract: There is growing recognition of the valuable role that professional chaplains provide in the medical setting. Yet, most physicians are unfamiliar with or misinformed about chaplains and how they can be effectively utilized in providing quality patient care. Many physicians also feel unskilled and unprepared to identify or discuss patients' spiritual or religious concerns that arise. Using case studies, this article provides an overview of the training and skills of professional chaplains in a medical setting. Chaplains can be effective partners in assessing and treating patients' needs. They also provide ethical and spiritual support to the medical team. In an increasingly culturally diverse patient population, chaplains can offer a proactive, ongoing response to the needs of diverse patients. When integrated into medical teams, chaplains can bring fresh perspectives to patient care and are a highly skilled professional resource for successfully managing patients' spiritual needs.
authors.affiliation: Hospice Chaplain employed at Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island. She is also an ordained Unitarian Universalist Minister; educated in professional ministry at Harvard Divinity School; and trained in professional chaplaincy at Andover Newton Theological School and The Chaplaincy Center of Rhode Island.
authors.forename: Richelle C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002604:Chaplaincy Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D012068:Religion and Medicine
keywords: faith; patient-centered care; professional chaplains; spirituality; well-being