Taking Inventory and Moving Forward: A Review of the Research Literature and Assessment of Qualitative Research in JPCC, 2010–2014

Abstract

As the foremost journal in spiritual care and counseling (SCC), Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling (JPCC) functions as a barometer for the discipline's research and interests. This article presents the findings of a review of the research literature in JPCC between 2010 and 2014. It examines research articles by asking the following questions: What are the quantity and types of research published? What are the dominant themes in this research? What are the quantity and methodologies of qualitative research? Findings are presented, discussed and recommendations are made in an effort to assess and further build the research base of the discipline.

Recent Progress in Chaplaincy-Related Research

“…This research is also underscoring the importance of spiritual care to patients and their families, and it is beginning to describe the effects of spiritual care on important outcomes. While other reviews of chaplain research are available (Galek, Flannelly, Jankowski, & Handzo, 2011; Jankowski, Handzo, & Flannelly, 2011; Kalish, 2012; Lichter, 2013; McCarroll, 2015; Mowat, 2008; Pesut, Sinclair, Fitchett, Greig, & Koss, 2016; Proserpio, Piccinelli, & Clerici, 2011; Spiritual Health Victoria, 2015) this review provides an up to date resource that brings this information together both for practicing chaplains who are beginning to be curious about research and for those entering the profession who wish to become familiar with its research. This review summarizes important research, primarily from the US context, in six major areas: what chaplains do; the importance of religion and spiritual care to patients and families; the impact of chaplains’ spiritual care on the patient experience; the impact of chaplain care on other patient outcomes; spiritual needs and chaplain care in palliative and end of life care; and chaplain care for staff colleagues.…”

Evidence-Based Spiritual Care Practice in the Canadian Context: Twenty Years Later

“…In reviewing texts with evidence-based spiritual care, a key theme was the importance of training in research literacy (Carr, 2015;Fitchett et al, 2014;McCarroll, 2015;Snowden et al, 2017;Tartalia, Fitchett, Dodd-McCue, Murphy, & Derrickson, 2013). In their survey of research training for chaplain residency students in the US, Fitchett, Tartaglia, Dodd-McCue, and Murphy ( 2012) described basic research literacy as the ability to access, critically appraise, and implement relevant research findings.…”