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What are the core elements of oncology spiritual care programs?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 November 2009

Shane Sinclair ,
Marlene Mysak  and
Neil A. Hagen
Shane Sinclair*
Affiliation:
Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, Canada Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Calgary
Marlene Mysak
Affiliation:
Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, Canada
Neil A. Hagen
Affiliation:
Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, Canada Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Calgary
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Shane Sinclair, Spiritual Care Services, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 29 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N2, Canada. E-mail: shane.sinclair@albertahealthservices.ca
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Abstract

Objective:

Tending to the spiritual needs of patients has begun to be formally recognized by professional spiritual care providers, health care councils, and health delivery systems over the last 30 years. Recognition of these programs has coincided with evidence-based research on the effect of spirituality on health. Palliative care has served as a forerunner to an integrated professional spiritual care approach, recognizing the importance of addressing the spiritual needs of the dying from its inauguration within Western medicine almost 50 years ago. Oncology programs have also begun to recognize the importance of spirituality to patients along the cancer continuum, especially those who are approaching the end of life. Although standards and best practice guidelines have been established and incorporated into practice, little is known about the actual factors affecting the practice of spiritual care programs or professional chaplains working within an oncology setting.

Methods:

Participant observation and interactive interviews occurred at five cancer programs after we conducted a literature search.

Results:

This study identified underlying organizational challenges, cultural and professional issues, academic program development challenges, administrative duties, and therapeutic interventions that determined the success of oncology spiritual care programs in practice.

Significance of results:

Although spiritual care services have developed as a profession and become recognized as a service within oncology and palliative care, organizational and operational issues were underrecognized yet significant factors in the success of oncology spiritual care programs. Spiritual care programs that were centrally located within the cancer care center, reported and provided guidance to senior leaders, reflected a multifaith approach, and had an academic role were better resourced, utilized more frequently, and seen to be integral members of an interdisciplinary care team than those services who did not reflect these characteristics.

Keywords

SpiritualityHealth services researchCancer program developmentChaplaincyOrganizational design
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 7 , Issue 4 , December 2009 , pp. 415 - 422
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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