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Open Access 01-10-2019 | Care | Impressionistic Reporting

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

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

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 5/2019

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.

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Title: The Role of the Chaplain as a Patient Navigator and Advocate for Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: One Academic Medical Center’s Experience
Authors: Paula Teague
Susan Kraeuter
Sarah York
Wayman Scott
Muhammad M. Furqan
Sammy Zakaria
Publication date: 01-10-2019
Publisher: Springer US
Keyword: Care
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 5/2019
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00865-z

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

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