A New Hospitalist in the House

In summary, using “hospitalist” as a metaphor to describe professional chaplains has advantages and disadvantages. Within the context and culture of healthcare it is advantageous in providing a clinically based metaphor readily accessible to healthcare providers that communicates well the chaplain’s unique role and work. Within the context and culture of faith communities, however, its disadvantage rests in suggesting a transfer of spiritual care between providers.

Regardless of this disadvantage, the “chaplain as hospitalist” metaphor highlights a problematic nexus where authorities, responsibilities, and accountabilities overlap in the provision of spiritual care. It also suggests a possible solution: the chaplain as manager, but not sole provider, of spiritual care. Naming and examining this nexus can only enhance the overall provision of spiritual care. TH

Rev. Dr. Mark LaRocca-Pitts is a board-certified staff chaplain at Athens (Ga.) Regional Medical Center and is endorsed by the United Methodist (UM) Church. He also teaches as an adjunct professor in the Religion Department at the University of Georgia and pastors three small rural UM churches. Rev. Dr. LaRocca-Pitts received his MDiv from Harvard Divinity School and his PhD from Harvard University in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. He completed his clinical training in chaplaincy at Emory University and Duke University.

References

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Resource

For further information on board-certified chaplains, see the Association of Professional Chaplains at www.professionalchaplains.org.