Do Oncology Outpatients Need Chaplaincy Services?

Authors

  • S.H. Cedar London South Bank University
  • Jody Mitchell London South Bank University
  • John Watts Guys and St Thomas NHS Trust
  • Mia Hilborn Guys and St Thomas NHS Trust

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.31826

Keywords:

6C’s, inpatients, oncology, outpatients, pastoral, spiritual

Abstract

Holistic patient-centred care is the aim of health services in the United Kingdom delivered through the 6Cs. Chaplains can offer aspects of this through compassionate care of the patient, particularly when a person is facing a life- limiting prognosis. This study firstly evaluated patient awareness and use of chaplaincy services in two oncology settings; Inpatient and Outpatient. Outpatients had not previously been offered chaplaincy services.  Secondly, the demand and needs for a chaplaincy intervention was investigated with patients who expressed a spiritual or religious belief and had received a chaplaincy visit.  Results indicated that half of the patients seen in the first evaluation identified with a spiritual/religious belief and both Outpatients and inpatients had a similar demand for chaplaincy visits.  Those receiving a chaplaincy visit before being evaluated generally requested further visits. Based on these results we have now established a chaplaincy visiting service in the Outpatient chemotherapy suites to try to match demands.

Author Biographies

  • S.H. Cedar, London South Bank University

    S.H. Cedar is Associate Professor of Human Biology and Reader in Biomedical Sciences: School of Health & Social Care at the London South Bank University.

  • Jody Mitchell, London South Bank University

    Jody Mitchell is Associate Professor of Practice Learning, School of Health & Social Care at the London South Bank University.

  • John Watts, Guys and St Thomas NHS Trust

    John Watts is a Chaplain at Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Trust, London.

  • Mia Hilborn, Guys and St Thomas NHS Trust

    Mia Holborn is Hospitaller and Head of Spiritual Care at Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Trust, London.

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Published

2018-12-24

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 1 (2018): ​Spiritual Care and the Diversity of People and Places

Section

Research

License

© Equinox Publishing Ltd.

For information regarding our Open Access policy, click here.

How to Cite

Cedar, S., Mitchell, J., Watts, J., & Hilborn, M. (2018). Do Oncology Outpatients Need Chaplaincy Services?. Health and Social Care Chaplaincy, 6(1), 82-94. https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.31826