toh

Multi-faith chaplains from the Spiritual Care team at The Ottawa Hospital support patients, families and staff members of all faiths and cultures.

Spiritual care can comfort patients and families during difficult times. But with people coming from a wide variety of spiritual and cultural backgrounds, it’s essential that The Ottawa Hospital provides care that is adaptable and sensitive to patient needs.

Over the years, said Clinical Pastoral Education Coordinator Nicolas El-Kada, Spiritual Care has evolved to focus on spirituality, rather than only on religion.

The team is composed largely of certified multi-faith chaplains who are registered psychotherapists with extensive clinical training. They provide care without judgment and without projecting their own beliefs.

Often, chaplains support people through complex and daunting emotions.

“We use our training to help them explore their own beliefs and values, which may or may not be religion-based, to help them find their own answers so they can cope with their situation,” said El-Kada.

Team members work closely with care teams and have connections with dozens of Ottawa faith and cultural communities that they can call for patients.

At the Cancer Centre, Aboriginal Patient Coordinator Verna Stevens ensures that the spiritual care needs of First Nations, Inuit and Metis patients are accommodated in a way that is considerate of patient beliefs and cultures.

“We arrange for patients and families to meet with elders,” said Stevens. “It helps them find peace of mind. There’s a lot of trust in that relationship and it’s very valuable.”

Providing natural space outdoors where patients can relax and reflect or pray can be soothing for people and make them feel more comfortable in hospital, she said. The hospital is also working to develop a policy on smudging, an important practice for many Aboriginal people.

Ultimately, offering culturally-sensitive spiritual care helps people feel supported during and after their time at the hospital, said El-Kada. “This holistic care helps our patients cope more quickly. It gives them the exceptional, personalized experience that we would want for our loved ones.”

You might also like…