Transforming Chaplaincy develops, produces, and disseminates high-impact research in healthcare chaplaincy and spiritual care.
Research Priorities
Our current research priorities are centered on enhancing spiritual care in palliative care, pediatrics, and cancer care, while also addressing equity and diversity in each area.
Research Impact
In 2022 and 2023, more than 40 research projects gained ground with support from Transforming Chaplaincy, spanning from large-scale studies to smaller initiatives by practicing chaplains.
Research Networks
Nine research networks support 2000+ members passionate about research in specific clinical areas and chaplaincy functions. Networks sponsor webinars, and research collaboration.
Research Collaboration
Transforming Chaplaincy collaborates with researchers all over the world, including our primary academic partner, Virginia Commonwealth University.
Significant & Recent Publications
Explore some of Transforming Chaplaincy’s highest impact & recent publications – many available open-access!
Fleenor, D. W., Muehlhausen, B. L., Desjardins, C. M., & Fitchett, G. (2024). Essential competencies for healthcare chaplains: Insights from hiring managers and implications for chaplaincy education. Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2024.2399464
Galchutt, P. K. (2024). Spiritual assessment models for palliative care chaplains: A narrative review. Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy, 30(4), 329–345. https://doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2024.2368999
Labuschagne, D., Fleisher, J., Woo, K., & Fitchett, G. (2024). Feasibility and acceptability of Dignity Therapy for people with advanced neurodegenerative disease. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 67(5), e499–e502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.01.034
Schenk, K., Whipkey, T., & Fitchett, G. (2024). Mapping spiritual care in small and critical access hospitals in a faith- based US Health system. Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy, 30(4), 255–277. https://doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2024.2354006
Szilagyi C, Newitt M, Nuzum D (2024) Chaplain development in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in healthcare settings in England: A mixed methods study. PLOS ONE 19(9): e0310085. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310085
“The importance of an evidence-based approach to spiritual care continues to grow, as does the interest in this work,”
– George Fitchett, co-founder & current senior advisor
Research Priorities
Transforming Chaplaincy has identified three priority concentrations for our research efforts, and further seek to incorporate inquiry into health equity and diversity into each of these areas.
- Palliative Care – Palliative Care is a rapidly growing area of inquiry and service within spiritual care that TC is actively engaged in on multiple levels, including through our largest research network and active involvement in a number of palliative care professional groups and networks.
Point Person: Paul Galchutt - Pediatrics – TC, along with our Pediatrics partners through Pediatric Chaplains Network and Stanford Children’s Health, conducts research in all areas of pediatric healthcare, especially parental coping, pediatric spiritual care assessment, and mapping spiritual care services.
Point Person: Cate Beaulieu-Desjardins - Cancer Care – Cancer continues to be a leading disease burden worldwide and spiritual care has a robust place in cancer care. TC has long led efforts around spiritual caregiving in cancer care, including outpatient cancer care.
Point Person – George Fitchett
Research Networks
Transforming Chaplaincy sponsors a number of research networks open to chaplains and interdisciplinary colleagues interested in learning about relevant research in clinical areas, and forming collaborations for funding and producing novel research in spiritual care.
Chaplaincy Functions Network
Convener: Nina Redl
SIGs (Special Interest Groups): Trauma, Ethics, Assessment & Screening
Hospice & Palliative Care
Convener: Paul Galchutt
SIGs: Bereavement, Palliative Chaplain Researchers
Spiritual Care Management & Leadership
Convener: Benjamin Schaefer
Pediatrics
Conveners: Cate Beaulieu-Desjardins & Amanda Borchik
Population Health, Outpatient, & Telechaplaincy
Conveners: Bronwen Jones & Alex Beth Schapiro
Elder Care Network
Conveners: Kathy Lyndes and Sarah McEvoy
Chronic Illness/Disease Network
Convener: Chuck Valenti-Hein
Psychedelic Care
Conveners: Bonnie Glass-Coffin & Steve Lewis
Chaplaincy and Mental Health Network
Conveners: Tim Usset & Angelika Zollfrank
Transforming Chaplaincy
We love hearing from leaders and researchers interested in supporting partnerships and impactful collaborations. For chaplains looking to get involved in research for the first time, please see our Education page.
In Chicago
Rush University Medical Center
Dept. of Religion, Health & Human Values
Suite 028 Annex
1653 West Congress Parkway
Chicago, IL 60612
transforming_chaplaincy@rush.edu