By Rev. Tim Dean and Rev. Christopher Szarke
Hospital patients are sometimes surprised to learn that a hospital chaplain may be part of the team of professionals involved in their care and support. Spiritual care in the hospital setting is rooted in the understanding that our beliefs and values can profoundly affect the way in which we cope with illness and its treatment. This view is recognized by The Joint Commission, which accredits more than 20,000 health-care organizations in this country and requires that hospitals offer support for the spiritual needs of their patients in addition to providing physical care.