Integrating spiritual care into clinical practice: A collaborative framework for hospital chaplains and clinical lecturers

Otoo, Isaac Nii Kwantsi and Ashong, Gabriel Gilbert N.A. 2026. Integrating spiritual care into clinical practice: A collaborative framework for hospital chaplains and clinical lecturers. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science 10 (9) , pp. 12914-12924. 10.47772/ijriss.2026.100900905

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Abstract

Healthcare is increasingly recognising the value of person-centered care that meets patients' physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs. Illness can alter identity, relationships, hope, personal values, and purpose, yet spiritual concerns are not always recognised or treated in ordinary clinical practice. This conceptual article examines how hospital chaplains and clinical lecturers might collaborate to integrate spiritual care into healthcare delivery and professional education, with a focus on Ghanaian and other culturally diverse healthcare settings. The article adopts a narrative, conceptual approach, synthesising selected literature on spiritual care, hospital chaplaincy, palliative care and interprofessional education alongside the conceptual themes developed in the authors' preparatory materials. It is not a systematic review and does not report original empirical data. The synthesis informs a proposed five-component framework comprising institutional leadership and policy; curriculum and competency development; accessible, consent-based assessment and referral; interprofessional practice and staff support; and evaluation and continuous improvement. The analysis distinguishes generalist spiritual care, which healthcare professionals may provide within their competence, from specialist spiritual care delivered by appropriately trained chaplains or other qualified practitioners. It identifies limited training, role ambiguity, workload pressures, inadequate referral pathways and concerns about religious imposition as potential barriers to implementation. The proposed framework positions chaplains as specialist contributors to spiritual assessment, pastoral support and religious care when requested, while clinical lecturers translate relevant knowledge into teaching, simulation, assessment and continuing professional development. The analysis distinguishes generalist spiritual care, which healthcare professionals may provide within their competence, from specialist spiritual care delivered by appropriately trained chaplains or other qualified practitioners. It identifies limited training, role ambiguity, workload pressures, inadequate referral pathways and concerns about religious imposition as potential barriers to implementation. The proposed framework positions chaplains as specialist contributors to spiritual assessment, pastoral support and religious care when requested, while clinical lecturers translate relevant knowledge into teaching, simulation, assessment and continuing professional development. The article argues that effective integration requires more than individual goodwill. It depends on clear professional boundaries, institutional support, culturally responsive education, respect for patient autonomy and proportionate documentation. The framework offers a basis for service development and future empirical evaluation. Research in Ghanaian healthcare settings is needed to assess its feasibility, acceptability, implementation requirements and effects on patient experience and interprofessional practice.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Healthcare Sciences
Publisher:	RSIS International
ISSN:	2454-6186
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	2 November 2026
Last Modified:	02 Nov 2026 12:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/190586

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