The Role and Function of a Hospital Chaplain in an Interdisciplinary Team

Healthcare workers provide quality of care to patients who enter the hospital. However, to provide the holistic care, patients need interdisciplinary teams who meet and collaborate on a plan of care. There are various skills sets required on an interdisciplinary team including chaplains. However, members of an interdisciplinary team do not necessarily understand how to utilize the chaplain’s multifaceted training for the best holistic care of the patient. The purpose of this study is to review the interdisciplinary team in the hospital context and address the understanding of the chaplain’s role and function. The study will utilize a qualitative research method within the hospital context using interdisciplinary teams as the sample population and a sample size of 12 healthcare workers. The setting will be within the context of the hospital using questionnaires, one-on-one interviews, and observations as data collection methods. This study should help educate healthcare workers on interdisciplinary teams regarding the role and function of the hospital chaplain within the hospital. It should also draw attention to how members of those on the interdisciplinary teams are trained not only together, but also in their initial medical training, whether it be nursing, caseworker, pharmacist, or physician. If there is an expectation and consideration for members on the interdisciplinary team to work together then part of their education should be on not only team development, but the different roles and functions of those they will come in contact with during their career in order to provide quality care for patients