The Role of Chaplains in Patient Care

By John Graham

December 7th, 2012

On Dec 6, 2011, the Wall Street Journal published an interesting article outlining the role of hospital chaplains.  The article says the majority of hospitals in America provide chaplain servies and studies indicate patients value the care they receive.  To further document the work chaplains do, the Templeton Foundation has established a $ 3 million dollar grant which will encourage evidence-based research in this area.  Previous studies have shown that patients want their spiritual concerns addressed while they are being cared for medically.  So, the interest is there, and these studies will seek to determine the benefit patients receive from chaplain visits.  Read the full Wall Stree Journal article at:  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204826704577074462494881428.html?mod=WSJ_LifeStyle_Lifestyle_6#printMode.