The Role of the Chaplain as a Patient Navigator and Advocate for Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: One Academic Medical Center’s Experience

Paula Teague, Susan Kraeuter, Sarah York, Wayman Scott, Muhammad M. Furqan, Sammy Zakaria

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Effective communication between intensive care unit (ICU) staff, and patients and their families, can help increase understanding, trust, and goals-of-care decisions. Many strategies focus on enhancing communication by increasing family meetings or adding patient navigators. In our ICU, we implemented both strategies, uniquely appointing a chaplain for the patient navigator role. We then surveyed ICU staff on their perceptions of the chaplain/patient navigator, which yielded several valuable insights. Although all staff supported a strong chaplaincy presence, many had concerns about the dual chaplain/patient navigator role. Based on our mixed results, we encourage further exploration to optimize the chaplain role in the ICU.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1833-1846
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Religion and Health
Volume58
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2019

Keywords

  • Chaplain
  • Intensive care
  • Patient advocacy
  • Patient navigation
  • Patient-centered care
  • Spiritual care

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Nursing
  • Religious studies

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