RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Awareness and Preferences for Health Care Chaplaincy Services Among US Adults
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 368
OP 374
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2021.02.200396
VO 34
IS 2
A1 Rajaee, Geila
A1 Patel, Minal R.
YR 2021
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/34/2/368.abstract
AB Purpose: Health care chaplains intervene on unmet religious/spiritual (R/S) needs in health care settings that are associated with poor outcomes. Little is known about demand for their services. The purpose of this study was to describe population-level awareness and perceptions of health care chaplains and preferences for their services.Methods: Data came from a cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative sample of US adults ≥ 18 years of age (n = 1020). Participants were asked about preferences for chaplain services, previous experience and awareness of chaplains, and level of importance on having R/S needs and sources of meaning addressed.Results: Mean age of the sample was 47.6. Although the majority were aware of chaplains (85%), only 15% indicated they had previous experience with one. Adults who were unaware were younger (38 vs 49 years, p < .001), male (P = .007), non-white race/ethnicity (p < .001), and had lower educational attainment (P = .01). Seventy percent reported an interest in having R/S or existential needs met in the context of health care.Conclusions: The majority of the US population say they are aware of chaplains and desire their services, yet few report previous experience with them in health care. More behavioral interventions are needed to better connect patients to chaplains.