LIST OF RECENT RESEARCH PRODCUED BY CHAPLAINS

For inclusion on the website we require the Title, Name, Date, Course for which research was produced and Abstract if possible.

2007. “An Examination of Ronald Rolheiser’s Theory of Spirituality on the Pastoral Care of the Sick”. By Jo Young Anna Lee.
M.A. in Leadership and Pastoral Care. All Hallows College.

2006. “An Application of Outcome Oriented Chaplaincy: Case Studies of patients in a long-term Care Facility.” Carolyn O’Laoire.
M.A. in Leadership and Pastoral Care. All Hallows.

2005. “The Changing Face of Chaplaincy: A Case Study of women in Chaplaincy.”
By Frances Dignan.
M.A. in Holistic Development for Pastoral Ministry. All Hallows.

2004. "INTEGRATION OF THE PROFESSIONAL CHAPLAIN INTO THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM"
by Jean Kelly
Master of Arts in Healthcare Chaplaincy, Mater Dei Institute of Education, 2004

Thesis Abstract
This thesis examines the role of the professional chaplain in relation to the spiritual care of patients, families and staff in healthcare facilities. The evolution of a more holistic approach to healthcare of the sick, involving physical, psychological, spiritual, cultural and social needs of patients is a challenge to all concerned. Professional chaplaincy, which is essential to providing holistic care, has a particular expertise in the spiritual and religious elements of patient care.
Some revolutionary changes in society have inspired and challenged professional chaplains to claim their rightful place in multidisciplinary teams so as to carry out their duties not only to patients but also to families, staff and colleagues. In these times of change and necessary restructuring in healthcare, professional chaplains are challenged to meet the emerging needs. Healthcare reforms are on the horizon so chaplains are called to be proactive in upholding and promoting the value of their professional role. Every patient has a right and need, to be afforded the opportunity to avail of spiritual care as part of a multidisciplinary service.
A good care team consists of members of multiple disciplines and represents many areas of expertise and experience. The patient must always be the focus if healthcare is to be effective. Unless this type of teamwork is in operation, holistic care, including spiritual care, has not developed. Research in teamwork and collaboration must be conducted by chaplaincy associations if there is to be significant growth in these areas.
The thesis concludes with emphasis on the importance of finding new and challenging ways to create fellowship and community among all disciplines in healthcare. To facilitate this development, integration of the professional chaplain into the multidisciplinary team is essential.


2004. “Life at the Edge: How may Turner’s Categories of
Liminality and Communitas increase the Chaplain’s sensitivity to the reality of ‘Life at the Edge’ and inspire Chaplains to adapt the Order of Christian funerals as they accompany those who mourn?”
By Ann Charlton, MA in Healthcare Chaplaincy, Mater Dei Institute.

2003. “Is there a place for Pastoral Care in the Government Health Strategy 2001, Quality and Fairness: A Health System for you?”
By Margo McKay,
Master of Arts Degree in Healthcare Chaplaincy, Mater Dei Institute
Abstract:
In 2001 the Department of Health and Children published a Health Strategy entitled: Quality and Fairness: A Health System for You. A key component of the strategy, but published as a separate document, was entitled: Primary Care: A New Direction. Despite the stated vision of this strategy being a greatly improved health service, where the care will be patient-centred and holistic, there is no explicit reference to chaplaincy or pastoral care. This thesis asserts the right and need of every patient and his/her family to be afforded the opportunity to avail of pastoral care, as part of a multi-disciplinary service, caring for the spiritual, as well as the physical needs of the patient. The study suggests that pastoral care could become peripheral to the perceived needs of the patient if the service does not develop a high profile within the hospital, become easily accessible and available, and so take its place alongside all the other services offered in every healthcare facility.

2002. “Healthcare Chaplain as a Member of an Interdisciplinary Team: an Evolving Paradigm.”
By Jim Owens, MAPL, All Hallows College

Further details of these works can be obtained from nahc@eircom.net