Spiritual Support Kits in the Hospital Attached Med-Inn: Survey Results from an University of Michigan Pilot Project
Lindsay Bona, MS, Chief Pastoral Care, University of Michigan Health System
Christina Wright, PhD., Staff Chaplain, University of Michigan Health System
Rajan Dewar, M.D., PhD., Associate Professor, University of Michigan
Families of patients may have strong spiritual needs, as patients are undergoing treatment in hospital settings. However, since the patient is the main 'client', the families needs are sometimes not recognized or not addressed. In many instances, the needs of families may be much stronger. Family members of patients who had traveled from far away locations and admitted in a hospital over lengthy periods of time, tend to stay in local hotels. Some hospitals have special provisions and may have a hotel attached to the hospital to accommodate the needs of such patient's family members. Given that these family members are going through a stressful period, and may not have access to their usual spiritual care group or religious instruments, we piloted a program in our hospital.
The hotel space attached to University of Michigan Health System is called Med-Inn. We surveyed 100 consecutive family members who stayed in Med-Inn about the need for such a spiritual support kit. Our pilot study and survey showed that a majority of patient attendees are in need of such support.
There were 45 survey respondents. They belonged to Christianity and other religious groups(n=24); Judaism (n=6); Baha'i (n=1); Buddhist (n=4); Islam (n=2); undeclared (n=8).
When asked if they 'would like being provided a 'kit' or box, that contains religious elements that would be brought to your Med-Inn hotel room at the University of Michigan hospital, 83% of respondents said YES; 6% were Uncertain and 11% responded NO.
The desired items to be brought and provided varied: prayer book, mats, prayer beads, rosary, hand-held cross, an image of Sakhyamuni Buddha, a 'mala' (beads), Bible, Quran, prayer mats, candles for Sabbath, grape juice, prayer book.
49% of respondents preferred a volunteer bring these items to the Med Inn room; 38% said they will pick them up at the front desk. Some respondents preferred to have a 'menu' or selection of items that they can pick from.
Results & Conclusion:
Our survey shows that relatives of patients staying in hospital attached hotel spaces have strong spiritual needs. Providing spiritual support kits for these attendees will be very helpful to meet the spiritual needs of these patient attendees who may be undergoing a stressful period.
Christina Wright, PhD., Staff Chaplain, University of Michigan Health System
Rajan Dewar, M.D., PhD., Associate Professor, University of Michigan
Families of patients may have strong spiritual needs, as patients are undergoing treatment in hospital settings. However, since the patient is the main 'client', the families needs are sometimes not recognized or not addressed. In many instances, the needs of families may be much stronger. Family members of patients who had traveled from far away locations and admitted in a hospital over lengthy periods of time, tend to stay in local hotels. Some hospitals have special provisions and may have a hotel attached to the hospital to accommodate the needs of such patient's family members. Given that these family members are going through a stressful period, and may not have access to their usual spiritual care group or religious instruments, we piloted a program in our hospital.
The hotel space attached to University of Michigan Health System is called Med-Inn. We surveyed 100 consecutive family members who stayed in Med-Inn about the need for such a spiritual support kit. Our pilot study and survey showed that a majority of patient attendees are in need of such support.
There were 45 survey respondents. They belonged to Christianity and other religious groups(n=24); Judaism (n=6); Baha'i (n=1); Buddhist (n=4); Islam (n=2); undeclared (n=8).
When asked if they 'would like being provided a 'kit' or box, that contains religious elements that would be brought to your Med-Inn hotel room at the University of Michigan hospital, 83% of respondents said YES; 6% were Uncertain and 11% responded NO.
The desired items to be brought and provided varied: prayer book, mats, prayer beads, rosary, hand-held cross, an image of Sakhyamuni Buddha, a 'mala' (beads), Bible, Quran, prayer mats, candles for Sabbath, grape juice, prayer book.
49% of respondents preferred a volunteer bring these items to the Med Inn room; 38% said they will pick them up at the front desk. Some respondents preferred to have a 'menu' or selection of items that they can pick from.
Results & Conclusion:
Our survey shows that relatives of patients staying in hospital attached hotel spaces have strong spiritual needs. Providing spiritual support kits for these attendees will be very helpful to meet the spiritual needs of these patient attendees who may be undergoing a stressful period.