WJC11 Session 1 - The World of Trauma: Vicarious Trauma, Spirituality, and the Evidence-Informed Chaplain

Description:

Overview:
Utilizing Heideggerian Phenomenology, this qualitative study explores the experiences of trauma clinicians from their decisions to go into trauma care to how they experience vicarious trauma. The paper also includes deep exploration of trauma clinician’s spiritual views, including how those views impact their work in trauma, including how their work has changed and impacted their spiritual views. The paper also explores the various ways in which clinicians cope with vicarious trauma. Chaplains are regularly exposed to trauma and at risk for experiencing vicarious trauma, making this an important paper to understand how evidence-informed chaplains recognize vicarious trauma and cope with it, particularly in light of the role of spirituality. This paper will also introduce participants to Heideggerian Phenomenology as a methodology in chaplaincy research.

Learning Objectives:

• Explore the world of trauma clinicians and trauma care, and how chaplains intersect with that world
• Examine vicarious trauma and its connection to spirituality, and the evidence for how chaplains can cope with vicarious trauma
• Introduce participants to Heideggerian Phenomenology as an interpretive method in chaplaincy research

Reading:
Muehlhausen BL. Spirituality and Vicarious Trauma Among Trauma Clinicians: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Trauma Nursing. 2021 Nov 1;28(6):367-77.doi: 10.1097/JTN.000000000000061

Presenters:
Rev. Marilyn J. D. Barnes MS MA MPH BCC, serves as the Chair of the Department of Patient Counseling within the College of Health Professions at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and the Director of Pastoral Care at VCU Medical Center. She previously served as the Vice President of Mission and Spiritual Care in the Advocate Aurora Health Care System in Illinois. She is a 2018 Transforming Chaplaincy Fellow graduate. Her research interests include the use of simulation in chaplaincy training and education, the impact of spiritual/religious coping on the association between discrimination and stress among midlife women, and the experiences of health care chaplains of color.

Cate Michelle Desjardins MDiv MPH BCC, is the Executive Director of Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship and convener of the Pediatrics Spiritual Care Research Network. She previously served for five years in various roles at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Her research interests include the role of religion in surrogate decision-making and in coping with caregiving for children with complex medical needs. She completed the Transforming Chaplaincy Research Fellowship in 2019.

Rev. Shelley Varner-Perez MDiv MPH BCC CPH, is Senior Program Manager and Chaplain-Researcher at Indiana University (IU) Health, Indianapolis, as well as an Affiliated Research Scientist in the Center for Aging Research with the Regenstrief Institute. She previously served nine years as a chaplain at VA Portland Health Care System in Portland, Oregon. She completed the Transforming Chaplaincy Research Fellowship in 2019 at the conclusion of a Master of Public Health degree in Epidemiology. Her research interests include spiritual care with family surrogate decision-makers and staff support following code blue events, as well as using art to engage those who are non-religious/unaffiliated.

How It Works:
When you purchase this recording, you will receive a link to access the recording. There will also be a link to access in the My Downloads and Links section of your APC profile.