Chaplain care in pediatric oncology: Insight for interprofessional collaboration

Abstract

Background Although attending to spiritual and religious needs is part of high quality care of pediatric cancer patients, oncology clinicians may not understand the role of the chaplain, resulting in underutilization of resources and failure to fully integrate the chaplain into the clinical team. We provide a description of what the chaplain does in the care of pediatric oncology patients. Methods We conducted a qualitative content analysis of chaplain chart notes over a one‐year period on the pediatric oncology service at a freestanding children's hospital. Using criteria designed to capture multiple potential factors in chaplain referral, we selected 30 patients for thematic analysis. Results In 2016, 166 pediatric patients were diagnosed with cancer and received ongoing care at our institution. From the 30 patients selected, 230 chaplain encounters were documented in the medical chart. Three major themes emerged. (1) The chaplains provided a rich description of spiritual and psychosocial aspects of the patient and family's experience; (2) chaplains provided diverse interventions, both religious and secular in nature; and (3) chaplains provided care within a longitudinal relationship. All three themes depend on the empathic listening by a chaplain. Conclusions The chaplains’ observations about patient and family beliefs, experiences, and emotional/spiritual states have the potential to inform the interdisciplinary care of the patient. Chaplain documentation provides insight into how spiritual care interventions and close relationships may promote patient and family well‐being. In future work, we will explore how to give voice to their insights in caring for pediatric oncology patients.

Religious–spiritual experiences of family members and caregivers of children and adolescents with cancer

“…It is evident that nowadays there is a need for chaplains to be incorporated into healthcare practices, as they contribute significantly to the care that is offered, as shown by the scientific literature (Carey et al, 2018; Nash et al, 2018; Lion et al, 2019; Proserpio et al, 2019). These professionals help patients and families to face spiritual suffering, they make communication between the family and the health team much easier, and they provide support for religious and spiritual practices in health institutions (Rossato et al, 2021), among other aspects that demonstrate the relevance of their insertion in multidisciplinary teams that care for children and adolescents with cancer.…”

“…Religious and spiritual practices are present in all cultures, being markers that influence the ways of life and the relationships established among people (Rossato et al, 2021). In cases of childhood cancer, R/S has been described as a resource that accompanies the family/caregivers in the illness itinerary, contributing to resilience, emotional adjustment, and interfering in decision making (Lion et al, 2019).…”

Religiosidade/espiritualidade (R/E) na atuação profissional em oncologia pediátrica: recurso ou protocolo?

“…O acolhimento dos familiares pelo capelão também foi descrito no estudo de Lion et al (2019). Nesse estudo é possível observar que muitas vezes o capelão acaba acolhendo as famílias em relação a diversos aspectos que emergem como em situações de estresse, medo, ansiedade, luto antecipatório, frustrações, questionamentos, adoecimento mental, sobre os significados da fé na doença, entre outros aspectos.…”

Chart Audit of Spiritual Care Documentation: Continuous Quality Improvement

“…Findings from a study in a pediatric oncology setting were similar. Lion et al. (2019) determined that spiritual care chart notes provided helpful information and insight for overall care.…”