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Harrington posted an update 7 months, 1 week ago
This spiritual-psychological exegesis continues to expand the gallery of biblical combat veteran types by shedding light on a new biblical combat character. Gideon from the Book of Judges was an experienced combat veteran and military commander. The findings include the proposal of a new categorical type of a combat veteran who illustrates both spiritual integrity and resilience. The article engages in conversations of what the findings may mean for pastoral care and their connections to theology.Due to the high number of Muslim applicants in the Swiss asylum system, in recent years there have been calls for an introduction of a Muslim chaplaincy service into Switzerland’s asylum centers. Acknowledging this need, the Swiss federal government ran a Muslim chaplaincy pilot service in Zurich’s Juch Asylum Center between July 2016 and June 2017, with a view to its possible roll-out across Switzerland’s federal asylum centers. This paper links methodological reflection with a presentation of key results in the evaluation of this project. Applying a mixed-method design based on the fourth-generation evaluation research, the study investigates the perspectives of the main stakeholder groups on the pilot project. The interaction with Muslim chaplains mostly led to a high degree of satisfaction among asylum seekers. The study shows there were difficulties and obstacles integrating Muslim chaplaincy into the center’s inter-professional setting, although the interfaith cooperation with Christian chaplains nonetheless developed intensively. The study’s methodological limitations, primarily caused by the setting of the study, are also discussed, as well as the impact the evaluation itself had on the asylum center setting.Outcome literature has shown poor treatment engagement in efficacious, evidence-based post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) programs among returning veterans with combat-related psychological symptoms and calls for the development of motivational, preparatory exercises that circumvent stigma-related barriers and are delivered before or during the orientation phase of treatment. The psychological states of hope, meaning, and guilt have been found to impact motivation for treatment and the development and maintenance of post-trauma pathology and symptom severity. Given a chaplain’s less stigmatized role, as compared to mental health providers, and proficiency in assessing these states and providing interventions that mediate change, often before a veteran is enrolled in a PTSD treatment program, this paper introduces a brief, chaplain-led, preparatory exercise called the “Warrior’s Journey Intervention” (WJI). This narrative based, meaning-making exercise is designed to improve motivation for treatment and mitigate post-trauma symptoms by impacting hope, meaning, and guilt through use of a universally shared, metaphoric story of trauma recovery. A case study will demonstrate use of the intervention, observe its effects, and analyze mechanisms of change. Research is recommended at the end of the article to test the hypothesis that the intervention promotes motivation for treatment and reduces symptoms of PTSD and Moral Injury (MI). A standardized manual for the exercise is available from author.Spiritual health is important in managing and coping with chronic and debilitating illnesses, such as neurodegenerative diseases. However, few spiritual interventions have addressed this population. This article quantitatively and qualitatively evaluates outcomes of a spiritual life review in neurodegenerative diseases patients. The majority of participants improved or maintained quality of life and spiritual/emotional well-being following the intervention. Spiritual life review may be an important intervention in the comprehensive care of patients with neurodegenerative diseases.This article examines various sides of the recent discussion about establishing a medical category within the “moral injury” discourse. Essential differences between the nature and development of moral injury among physicians and combat veterans are acknowledged. Essential similarities are also explored. Case notes from a 3-year encounter between a clinical chaplain and a disoriented physician are offered as an illustration of how moral injury interventions with veteran populations can inform care for physicians experiencing burnout.In this study, 15 United States Army chaplain men described the practices they engaged in when providing pastoral support to women soldiers. Many engaged in creating safe spaces for women and themselves, particularly in regard to avoiding perceptions of impropriety. Other clergy did not consider gender a factor in counseling. Some chaplains placed limitations on the amount of support they would give. This study did not determine the degree to which chaplain men were effective.This article explores student experiences of a subject called Supervision in Spiritual Care Using Critical Reflection in postgraduate study in Australia for spiritual carers and ministers of religion. check details Their online dialogue identified how students used critical reflection in practice, and what they saw as the benefits and challenges in their learning. This affirms the value of a critically reflective approach to spiritual care and how this can be used in supervision and in practice.This article presents a solution for a critical issue, that is, elder abuse, and is focused on prevention through education and training for staff. Pastoral care and mental health professionals can benefit by using this film and curriculum for professional development when providing counseling, or when caring for elder clients on a long-term basis.Those of us who can come to work every day and provide emotional and spiritual support to the patients, families, staff, and to each other despite all challenges. COVID-19 has not robbed us of our ability to care. COVID-19 has not robbed us of our voices in using kind words, thoughts, sentiments, and prayers to comfort others and each other. Most importantly, COVID-19 has not broken us.The purpose of this prospective cohort study, including consecutively selected patients, was to evaluate the outcomes of NdYVO laser-assisted photocoagulation for the removal of benign eyelid lesions. An emulsion of lidocaine and prilocaine was used for dermal analgesia and subcutaneous injection of 2% lidocaine was performed as needed. Follow-up included two visits, at day 15 and 45 postoperatively, in order to assess time of wound healing, postoperative complications, need for additional treatment, and patient’s satisfaction. A total of 101 lesions of 66 patients were included, with a mean age of 55.4 ± 15.3 years. All patients were Caucasian and 62% were female. Papilloma was the most common lesion identified (61%). No major complications were reported during and after the procedure. Complete epithelization occurred in 82% and 100%, at the 15 and 45-day visit, respectively. All patients were satisfied with the cosmetic result. Only one patient was proposed for additional therapy during the follow-up period.