Healthcare chaplains and other spiritual caregivers play an important role in healthcare, where they ensure that medical care addresses the mental, emotional, and existential needs of patients, relatives, and caregivers.
However, technology is increasingly important in medicine, and is rapidly becoming more complex: from electronic health records to care management platforms and telehealth services, much of modern healthcare is delivered using digital means. Digital models of care are on the rise. With the move towards outpatient and community care, this trend will likely continue.
Spiritual care has not kept pace with this development. The gap between medical realities and the professional practice of chaplains is widening, seriously putting into question the future viability of spiritual care in its present form. If spiritual care is to remain an integral aspect of technologically driven healthcare, a new generation of spiritual caregivers is urgently needed. Just as evidence-based medicine challenged chaplains to adapt their professional practice, digital health is an opportunity for spiritual caregivers to innovate and pioneer new forms of whole-person care suitable to modern healthcare.
This project, led by an international team of experts from the United States and Europe, is the first to propose a clear and practical vision for integrating spiritual care with digital health. Through a comprehensive strategy built on research, education, leadership and advocacy, it develops a competency framework for digital spiritual care, trains chaplains to become proficient in providing care in digital settings, and empowers them to become leaders in compassionate and person-centred digital healthcare. In partnership with educational institutes, professional associations, healthcare organizations and spiritual care leaders, this project lays the foundation for a sustainable, long-term movement for digital spiritual care.
