Spiritual Care During a Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted every aspect of how we live, work, and lead our lives including the delivery of spiritual care in health care. It amplified many aspects of spiritual care both positive and negative. It came on swiftly and dramatically and, in spiritual care, caused the loss of in-person ritual, loss of touch and presence which are central and sacred to chaplaincy, and role confusion for chaplains. Many chaplains were considered non-essential and excluded from patient rooms or even from the institutions. Spiritual care and education had to pivot to virtual techniques which many did well. However, international research found that many chaplains were marginalised during this time. At the same time, others became more visible, and their contributions much better understood. The distinction seems to be largely due to whether the chaplains understood their role and were integrated into their institutions before the pandemic. Those who were well integrated pre-pandemic were much more likely to thrive during this time. Chaplains need to learn how to advocate for spiritual care and for what they contribute to care.