Role-Perceptions of Dutch Spiritual Caregivers in Implementing Multidisciplinary Spiritual Care: A National Survey

Jacqueline van Meurs, Roos Breedveld, Joep van de Geer, Carlo Leget, Wim Smeets, Robert Koorneef, Kris Vissers, Yvonne Engels and Anne Wichmann
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Jacqueline van Meurs: Department of Spiritual and Pastoral Care, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Roos Breedveld: Department of Anaesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Joep van de Geer: Academic Hospice Demeter, 3731 AL De Bilt, The Netherlands
Carlo Leget: Department of Care and Welfare, University of Humanistic Studies, 3512 HD Utrecht, The Netherlands
Wim Smeets: Department of Spiritual and Pastoral Care, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Robert Koorneef: Professional Association of Spiritual Caregivers VGVZ, 3860 AE Nijkerk, The Netherlands
Kris Vissers: Department of Anaesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Yvonne Engels: Department of Anaesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Anne Wichmann: Department of Anaesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: Background: During the course of their disease, patients often not only suffer physical discomfort, but also face psychological, social, and spiritual challenges. However, healthcare professionals often lack the knowledge and skills to address the spiritual dimension and are in need of support for taking this responsibility. Spiritual caregivers are experts in spiritual care, but their contribution to the integration of this care by other healthcare professionals is largely unknown. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate how Dutch spiritual caregivers view their role in increasing the integration of spiritual care in daily healthcare practice as provided by other healthcare professionals in the Netherlands, and how they address this role. Methods: An online survey was conducted from May until June 2021 among spiritual caregivers working in Dutch healthcare. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: The majority of the 174 respondents answered that they already fulfil a role in the integration of spiritual care by, for example, providing education, coaching on the job, or participating in multidisciplinary consultation. However, the majority of respondents experienced barriers to their contribution, such as confusion of terminology and use of language while collaborating with other healthcare professionals and reluctance to share information. Conclusions: While spiritual caregivers realise having a role in increasing the integration of spiritual care into daily practice of other healthcare professionals, some practices and perceptions, especially from within their own discipline, may hamper this.

Keywords: spiritual wellbeing; spiritual care; multidisciplinary collaboration; communication; healthcare chaplaincy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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