Review of outcome studies published

As professional chaplains continue their efforts to develop evidence-based spiritual care, and especially outcomes-focused research, some chaplains have been concerned that something about the soul or core identity of the profession will be compromised. A new paper, “Can Outcome Research Respect the Integrity of Chaplaincy? A Review of Outcome Studies,” from Dutch colleagues at the University for Humanistic Studies led by Annelieke Damen, addresses these concerns directly. Transforming Chaplaincy Co-Director George Fitchett also contributed to the paper. The authors review the existing spiritual care outcomes research and suggest future spiritual care outcome research be attentive to four questions. What is the core of our work, process (presence) or outcome? The paper makes an important contribution to the conversation about this question.