IOM Report: Spirituality in Healthcare The Rev. Charles R. Millikan, D. Min Vice-President for Spirituality and Values Integration The Methodist Hospital System 1
Spirituality in Healthcare Spirituality has been difficult to integrate into healthcare: 1. Limitations of defining spirituality 2. Spirituality is very different than anything traditionally encountered in the acute care setting. 3. Healthcare professionals don t know how to address spirituality in patient care. 2
What is a Spiritual Need? An indication of unfinished business o I just feel like there s more I could have done in my relationship with my daughter. A need to experience nature A need to have involvement and control o I want to control how the last few days of my life are lived. A need to relate to God or an ultimate other Maybe I should have read the Bible more. 3
What is a Spiritual Need? A Need to: Have gratitude and optimism o I need hope to make it through this. Love others o I need my wife by my side. She s my rock. Receive from others o I want to take care of myself. I don t want to be a burden on others. Create meaning o Why is this happening to me? 4
Role of Chaplains Restore feelings of connectedness Address spiritual pain
Role of Chaplains Acknowledge spiritual distress o Use standardized instruments FICA Integrate into treatment plan 6
Non-Denominational Serve patients of all faiths and of no faith and protect patients against proselytizing. 7
Non-Denominational Standards of chaplaincy o Outcomes of CPE Level II: Studies must be able to provide pastoral ministry to diverse people, taking into consideration multiple elements of cultural and ethnic differences, social conditions, systems, and justice issues without imposing their own perspectives. (Pastoral Competence, CPE) o APC: For certification, the candidate must be able to function pastorally in a manner that respects the physical, emotional, and spiritual boundaries of others. 8
Leading Medicine The Methodist Hospital System Mission To provide high quality, cost-effective health care that delivers the best value to the people we serve in a spiritual environment of caring in association with internationally recognized teaching and research. 9
Leading Medicine: Values and Culture Faith-based ministry I CARE values Patient-centered care: Service Quality Safety Community benefit support Engagement of our physicians Commitment to education and research Attention to staff needs 10
Historical Perspective The Methodist Experience The Methodist Experience System Integration The Patient Experience 2007 2012 ServicePride 2005 ICARE Values 2003 2002 11
Leading Medicine The Methodist Hospital System Spiritual Care Rev. Charles R. Millikan, D.Min. Vice President Spiritual Care & Values Integration TMH Medical Center Willowbrook Sugar Land San Jacinto Rev. Bob Kidd Director Rev. Mark Young, D.Min. Director Rev. Bill Bross Director Rev. Linda Tolon Director West Houston Rev. Craig Bradley Director 12
Spiritual environment of healing Blessing of the hands Nurses week 2013 Jesus: The Great Physician 13
Leading Medicine Bereavement Ministry Chaplains attend every death, including miscarriages and infant deaths Letters are sent to every family who has had a loved one die in the hospital, expressing sorrow, acknowledging grief and resourcing them with local grief support group information Invitations to a memorial service are sent to every family who has had a loved one die in the hospital (Two Memorial Services a year) We have a No One Dies Alone (NODA) program that provides compassionate companions to be with patients at end of life who do not have family or friends 14
Leading Medicine Collaboration (Internal & External) Chaplains attend every code in the hospital (pare of Code Team) Chaplains attend interdisciplinary rounds on clinical units Chaplains assist physicians in difficult conversations (Compassionate Care Conversations) Chaplain(s) are represented on the Biomedical Ethics Committee and consult team SCE partners with (and trains) lay persons from our local community of several faith traditions who come in on a weekly basis to provide spiritual care, which expands our reach within the hospital; 182 TMHS Lay Ministers and 33 Faith Group Volunteers (6 different traditions) 15
Leading Medicine Challenges Spiritual Care as a Center of Excellence For Spiritual Care to thrive, it must work in collaboration with all the services of the hospital system and not be isolated to just a chapel. Spiritual Care is holistic. 16
Practical Tips for Faith-Based Hospitals Practical Tips Develop Institutional Mission and Vision Statements 17
Leading Medicine The Methodist Hospital System Mission To provide high quality, cost-effective health care that delivers the best value to the people we serve in a spiritual environment of caring in association with internationally recognized teaching and research. 18
Leading Medicine The Methodist Hospital Statement of Belief The Methodist Hospital, a Christian organization established by the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist church, exists to provide quality health care services. As it fulfills this purpose, the System participates in the redeeming activity of God that makes the world a better place for all humankind. This health system is based on the belief God can heal through the lives, actions, and words of persons, regardless of various religious perspectives. Therefore, in all endeavors The Methodist Hospital System strives to treat everyone as a person of sacred worth and value, created by God. 19
Leading Medicine Practical Tips Collaborate and Partner with Faith Based Communities 20
Leading Medicine Community Benefits Bering Omega Community Services Communities in Schools Houston, Inc. Eye Care for Kids Foundation Ft. Bend Family Health Center, Inc. Houston Hospice Krist Samaritan Center for Counseling and Education Matagorda Episcopal Hospital Outreach Program Montrose Counseling Center, Inc. Northwest Assistance Ministries San Jose Clinic Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services Shalom Mobile Health Ministries Sheltering Arms Senior Services The Community Clinic The Women s Home TOMAGWA Health Care ministries 21
Practical Tips for Non-Faith Based Hospitals There should be a commitment to chaplaincy. Chaplains can and should address spiritual concerns, even in a non-faith based hospital 22
References 1. Jacobs MR. What are we doing here? Chaplains in contemporary health care. The Hastings Center Report. 2008; 38(6): 15. 2. Ferrell B and Munevar C. Domain of spiritual care. Progress in Palliative Care. 2012; 20(2): 66. 23
Questions? 24