Impact on Hospital Staff When Organising Spiritual Care for Patients During Pandemics

Introduction
Pandemics, such as Covid-19, have a large impact on the mental and spiritual health of both patients and healthcare professionals.

Purpose
This study aimed to investigate how the organisation of spiritual care during the Covid-19 pandemic affected hospital staff, and which challenges and opportunities were experienced.

Method
A qualitative study with individual semi-structured interviews with Danish doctors, nurses and chaplains was conducted. Data were analysed using inductive grounded theory analysis, with iterative coding leading to overall themes.

Findings
Doctors, nurses and chaplains found that chaplains constituted an important resource to meet pandemic-related issues such as loneliness during isolation, fear of infection, suffering and powerlessness. Having a chaplain available in the unit increased the quality of spiritual care for patients and staff. Facilitators of and barriers to providing spiritual care were identified.

Discussion
Relevant aspects of spiritual care in hospitals during pandemics were described.