Challenges and achievements in the development of spiritual-care training and implementation in Israel

Abstract

In recent years, pioneering spiritual-care training programs and services have been developed in Israel. This paper examines the implementation of the training programs and the challenge of integrating program graduates in the healthcare services. The information was collected through in-depth interviews with 12 students and graduates and the directors of the three training programs. All the interviews were transcribed in full and analyzed using qualitative study methods. The interviewees emphasized the importance of practical experience, although many of them encountered some degree of antagonism during their training or placement. Continuation of personal counseling and supervision after the conclusion of the program is also essential. Some were worried that they would not find work or were concerned about negotiations with potential employers. Evidently, the implementation of spiritual-care education must continue apace and careful consideration be given to optimizing its acceptance by the establishment.

Evidence-based spiritual care

“…Four studies focused on chaplains or professionals designated primarily as spiritual care givers [43,44 & , [45][46][47][48]. Two studies reflected the experience of physicians: one focused on residents in family medicine [49], and the other focused on palliative care physicians [50].…”

“…A common theme throughout the literature was a call for training and education in spiritual care giving; two studies examined the experience of students learning spiritual care giving using qualitative inquiry methods [35,47]; nine were conducted pertaining to the efficacy of such training [30,31,39,41,43,48,49,52,55]. Educational sessions were found to be effective in clarifying what spirituality is, increasing care givers' confidence in providing spiritual care, and providing a context for care givers to examine their own spirituality.…”

Progress in palliative care in Israel: comparative mapping and next steps

“…In early 2006, it launched a major new funding initiative for the development and provision of spiritual care services and training programs in Israel [24,25]. The first chaplaincy program was established at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in 2002, and shortly thereafter, a chaplaincy-training program was launched with the support of the UJA-Federation of New York.…”

Cultural differences in spiritual care: findings of an Israeli oncologic questionnaire examining patient interest in spiritual care

“…There have been qualitative studies examining the challenges and accomplishments in introducing professional spiritual care in Israel over the past decade [22,23,34]. However, there have not been any quantitative studies in Israel nor studies of any kind of the question of patient interest in spiritual care prior to the present study.…”