Twenty-eighth International Conference on Learning

Abstract

Historically, the image of the hospital chaplain has been a white, male Christian clergyperson who shows up to offer a prayer for patients at the end of life. Today, hospital chaplains are diverse in spiritual and religious expression, culture, and gender, with several roles within their institutions. In addition to assessing patients, the patient’s loved ones, and the hospital staff’s spiritual, religious, and emotional needs, the chaplain is a leader with positional authority within the hospital. As a leader serving a vulnerable population, ethically, chaplains must understand how their personal history impacts their sense of self, authenticity, identity, and ministry. Contemporary interest in chaplaincy is an opportunity to review components of chaplaincy education. Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) programs are where chaplains complete clinical ministry training. CPE programs are designed to help students understand the lived experiences that have shaped their identity and what they bring to their role as a chaplain. The first exploration in CPE is for students to understand their spiritual or religious heritage. What were they taught in childhood about God, religion or spirituality, and humanity? The second area of exploration is for students to understand their life history. What are their family system dynamics, close or disconnected relationships, and significant life events? Third, students explore how to utilize their story to connect with others to be an empathic compassionate presence. This paper describes these explorations as being foundational experiences for chaplain students to become competent, ethical chaplains and authentic leaders.

Presenters

Tahara Akmal
Chaplain and Manager of Clinical Pastoral Education, 110 Irving Street NW, 1B18, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, District of Columbia, United States