The current practice, preparedness and educational preparation of oncology professionals to provide spiritual care

AbstractObjective:Hospice volunteers often encounter questions related to spirituality. It is unknown whether spiritual care receives a corresponding level of attention in their training. Our survey investigated the current practice of spiritual care training in Germany.Method:An online survey sent to 1,332 hospice homecare services for adults in Germany was conducted during the summer of 2012. We employed the SPSS 21 software package for statistical evaluation.Results:All training programs included self-reflection on personal spirituality as obligatory. The definitions of spirituality used in programs differ considerably. The task of defining training objectives is randomly delegated to a supervisor, a trainer, or to the governing organization. More than half the institutions work in conjunction with an external trainer. These external trainers frequently have professional backgrounds in pastoral care/theology and/or in hospice/palliative care. While spiritual care receives great attention, the specific tasks it entails are rarely discussed. The response rate for our study was 25.0% (n = 332).Significance of results:A need exists to develop training concepts that outline distinct contents, methods, and objectives. A prospective curriculum would have to provide assistance in the development of training programs. Moreover, it would need to be adaptable to the various concepts of spiritual care employed by the respective institutions and their hospice volunteers.

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Translating Principles of Speech Science to Clinical Practice: Current and Future Trends in Craniofacial Disorders

Perspectives on Speech Science and Orofacial Disorders ◽

10.1044/ssod18.1.31 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 31-40 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

David J. Zajac

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Speech Intelligibility ◽

Current Practice ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Behavioral Management ◽

Single Word ◽

Future Directions ◽

Speech Science ◽

The Impact ◽

Opinion Article

Abstract The purpose of this opinion article is to review the impact of the principles and technology of speech science on clinical practice in the area of craniofacial disorders. Current practice relative to (a) speech aerodynamic assessment, (b) computer-assisted single-word speech intelligibility testing, and (c) behavioral management of hypernasal resonance are reviewed. Future directions and/or refinement of each area are also identified. It is suggested that both challenging and rewarding times are in store for clinical researchers in craniofacial disorders.

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Principles of Solution Focused Therapy and Their Application to Audiology

Perspectives on Public Health Issues Related to Hearing and Balance ◽

10.1044/phi15.1.27 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 27-33

Author(s):

James C. Blair

Keyword(s):

Basic Assumption ◽

Current Practice ◽

Helping Professions ◽

Patient Centered ◽

Therapy Approach ◽

Agents Of Change ◽

Centered Care ◽

Client Centered Therapy ◽

Solution Focused ◽

Solution Focused Therapy

The concept of client-centered therapy (Rogers, 1951) has influenced many professions to refocus their treatment of clients from assessment outcomes to the person who uses the information from this assessment. The term adopted for use in the professions of Communication Sciences and Disorders and encouraged by The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is patient-centered care, with the goal of helping professions, like audiology, focus more centrally on the patient. The purpose of this paper is to examine some of the principles used in a patient-centered therapy approach first described by de Shazer (1985) named Solution-Focused Therapy and how these principles might apply to the practice of audiology. The basic assumption behind this model is that people are the agents of change and the professional is there to help guide and enable clients to make the change the client wants to make. This model then is focused on solutions, not on the problems. It is postulated that by using the assumptions in this model audiologists will be more effective in a shorter time than current practice may allow.

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The Speech-Language Pathologist in the Public Schools: Preparation for Real Life Practices From the Perspective of a Speech-Language Pathology Program Coordinator

Perspectives on School-Based Issues ◽

10.1044/sbi11.2.60 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 60-65

Author(s):

Francine Wenhardt

Keyword(s):

Public Schools ◽

School Setting ◽

Real Life ◽

Effective School ◽

Program Coordinator ◽

Educational Preparation ◽

The Public ◽

Speech Language Pathologist ◽

New Graduate ◽

Language Pathology

Abstract The speech-language pathologist (SLP) working in the public schools has a wide variety of tasks. Educational preparation is not all that is needed to be an effective school-based SLP. As a SLP currently working in the capacity of a program coordinator, the author describes the skills required to fulfill the job requirements and responsibilities of the SLP in the school setting and advises the new graduate regarding the interview process and beginning a career in the public schools.

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