title: A preliminary study examining chaplains' support for veterans at the end of life.
abstract: This descriptive study examines the involvement of professional chaplains in addressing loss of dignity, inconsequential life or not having a legacy, fear of burdensomeness, and fear of pain in veterans at the end of life. A convenience sample of Jewish chaplains responded to an online survey gauging their involvement in these areas. Results are presented descriptively. Most respondents stated either rarely (≤1 x month) or sometimes (≥1 x month) encountering veterans with end-of-life issues. Respondents reported varying degrees of involvement in supporting veterans at the end of life with respect to the aforementioned areas. As research into the end-of-life care needs of veterans continues to develop, recognising chaplains as a source of both spiritual and psychosocial support can serve as an opportunity for better meeting the needs of this population.
authors.affiliation: Health Scientist Specialist, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Canandaigua, New York, US.
authors.forename: Marek S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kopacz
authors.affiliation: Director, The Jewish Chaplaincy at Stanford Medicine, Standford, California, US.
authors.forename: Bruce D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Feldstein
authors.affiliation: Executive Vice President at Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains, Paramus, New Jersey, US.
authors.forename: Cecille Allman
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Asekoff
authors.affiliation: President at Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains, Paramus, New Jersey, US.
authors.forename: Maurice S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kaprow
authors.affiliation: Professor of Emergency Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Smith-Coggins
authors.affiliation: Psychologist, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Canandaigua, New York.
authors.forename: April L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Connery
mesh_terms: D002977:Clergy; D006801:Humans; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019452:Terminally Ill; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans
keywords: Chaplains; End of Life; Veterans