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Distress and self-care among chaplains working in palliative care

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 February 2019

Kelsey B. White Open the ORCID record for Kelsey B. White [Opens in a new window] ,
Patricia E. Murphy ,
Jane Jeuland  and
George Fitchett
Kelsey B. White*
Affiliation:
University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
Patricia E. Murphy
Affiliation:
Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Jane Jeuland
Affiliation:
Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT
George Fitchett
Affiliation:
Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
*
Author for correspondence: Kelsey B. White, University of Louisville, 6800 Chimney Hill Road, Crestwood, KY 40014. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background

The prevalence of burnout and distress among palliative care professionals has received much attention since research suggests it negatively impacts the quality of care. Although limited, research suggests low levels of burnout or distress among healthcare chaplains; however, there has been no research among chaplains working in specific clinical contexts, including palliative care.

Objective

This study explored the distress, self-care, and debriefing practices of chaplains working in palliative care.

Method

Exploratory, cross-sectional survey of professional chaplains. Electronic surveys were sent to members of four professional chaplaincy organizations between February and April 2015. Primary measures of interest included Professional Distress, Distress from Theodicy, Informal Self-care, Formal Self-care, and debriefing practices.

Result

More than 60% of chaplains working in palliative care reported feeling worn out in the past 3 months because of their work as a helper; at least 33% practice Informal Self-care weekly. Bivariate analysis suggested significant associations between Informal Self-care and both Professional Distress and Distress from Theodicy. Multivariate analysis also identified that distress decreased as Informal and Formal Self-care increased.

Significance of results

Chaplains working in palliative care appear moderately distressed, possibly more so than chaplains working in other clinical areas. These chaplains also use debriefing, with non-chaplain palliative colleagues, to process clinical experiences. Further research is needed about the role of religious or spiritual beliefs and practices in protecting against stress associated with care for people at the end of life.

Keywords

ChaplainPalliative careDistressSelf-care
Type
Original Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 17 , Issue 5 , October 2019 , pp. 542 - 549
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019 

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