Secularism
‘Scotland … is becoming more secular, with diminishing public interest in religious institutions … The real challenge facing us is … the insidious secular materialism of our culture.’ So commented Professor John Drane (School of Divinity and Religious Studies, Aberdeen University) on the findings of the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey 2002. The Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, however, asserted ‘that to judge spirituality on the basis of church attendance was to miss the search for meaning by many people.’
Chaplain
A ‘search for meaning’ is often sparked by life-changing events such as sudden illness or the death of a loved one. When these occur in hospital it is the chaplain’s job to be available and to respond to those who express religious or spiritual need. This year saw the publication of ‘Standards for NHS Scotland Chaplaincy Services 2007’ which distinguishes religious and spiritual care as follows: ‘Religious care is given in the context of shared religious beliefs, values, liturgies and lifestyle of a faith community. Spiritual care is … person centred and makes no assumptions about personal conviction of (sic) life orientation. Spiritual Care is not necessarily religious. Religious care, at its best is always spiritual.’
Spirituality
Today’s patient population is drawn from a multicultural and secular society, yet one which, paradoxically, retains a spiritual dimension. Anne Harrington, a Harvard University science historian has described: ‘… a growing attempt to reclaim a place for the divine in the modern world …’ a trend reflected in medicine’s shift towards integrative healthcare. As Rev Dr Nick Hallam, hospital consultant (formerly at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary) and Anglican priest observes: ‘Mainstream medicine places an increasing emphasis on a holistic approach to patient care: treating the whole person (body, mind and spirit in Christian terms).’
So how does modern-day chaplaincy, negotiating an area where the competing paradigms of medical science and religion meet, address the demands of a society with shifting religious and spiritual values?
Sanctuary
Scotland’s first multicultural hospital Sanctuary at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary embodies this fresh, inclusive approach. Created in collaboration with the City’s diverse faith communities, the Sanctuary provides a space for solace, reflection and celebration and is open to patients, visitors and staff. It also appears to have set a trend. For example, NHS Tayside’s Department of Spiritual Care recently drafted plans for inclusive spiritual care accommodation at Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital and Perth Royal Infirmary.
So, is spirituality good for one’s health?
Studies
In 1999, a report in Archives of Internal Medicine (159: 2273–2278) described ‘A randomized, controlled trial of the effects of remote intercessory prayer on outcomes in patients admitted to the coronary care unit (CCU).’ The results showed that compared to patients in the usual care group, patients who received intercessory prayer experienced 10% fewer ‘clinical events’. The authors concluded: ‘This study suggests that remote intercessory prayer may be a useful adjunctive treatment for patients hospitalized in a CCU.’ On the other hand, in 2005 a report in the Lancet (366: 211–217) described how 748 people undergoing cardiac procedures were split into two arbitrary groups, and researchers assigned groups of Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and Jews to pray for only one of the study groups. The results showed that prayer had no effect on post-operative complications.
