Roles of Chaplains and Clergy in Spiritual Care for African Americans in Hospice: A Pilot Study

Roles of chaplains and clergy in spiritual care for African Americans in hospice: a pilot study
American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Denise D. Quigley, PhD; Sara G. McCleskey, PhD; Nabeel Qureshi, MPH; Jason Lesandrini, PhD, FACHE, LPEC, HEC; Natalie McNeal, MBA, MHA; 8/24
Clergy and chaplains have distinct, complementary roles in providing spiritual care to African American hospice patients and families. Community clergy and chaplains tend to not interact and provide different aspects of emotional, religious and spiritual support to hospice patients and families. Clergy provided interaction with a trusted person and connection to church, congregational support, religious beliefs/theology, and practices. Chaplains focused on present needs and issues of death and dying. Robust spiritual care programs need to ensure chaplains have sufficient time to spend with patients and families and incorporate collaboration, handoffs and integrated processes for clergy and chaplains. Research is needed on effectively including clergy in hospice spiritual care delivery.