Chaplain Robert Kidd on impacting the SMA Conference

Physicians and Chaplains – Listening and Learning

In September, I had the privilege of representing the Association of Professional Chaplains at the Southern Medical Association’s Spirituality/Medicine Interface Conference in Atlanta. Since my participation in this event was of some interest to PlainViews’ readership, it seemed appropriate to provide a summary and some reflections on the meeting.

Early in the meeting, one of the other presenters, Dr. Farr Curlin, commented on how infrequently chaplains and physicians sit down in groups and speak as colleagues. For me, this was a key benefit of the conference since the attendees were roughly divided between our two disciplines. Though there were participants who were from nursing and others healthcare sectors, it was illuminating to listen to the way physicians and chaplains tended to speak. Chaplains, it seems, are prone to speak in metaphor, story and anecdote; physicians communicate through cause and effect language, statistical or research-based language.

Listening to our conversations with one another gave me a clue about why doctors and chaplains so often “miss” one another relationally. Often, chaplains believe that physicians have become too enmeshed in empiricism and operate out of their high status in the hospital hierarchy and therefore often become relationally detached. On the other hand, physicians note that chaplains insist on falling back on indefinable subjectivity and have become detached from clear, analytical thinking. There is, of course, some truth in each polarity. It was fortuitous, then, that in this conference, physicians and chaplains had some extended time together in what ultimately became a truly sacred space.

In those three days, we had time to do more than simply hear one another’s words, but to hear the cadences and patterns of our language. We began to hear beyond our mutual stereotypes and hear the passion and commitment under our respective professional banners. It created a hopeful atmosphere where spirituality and medicine continued in dialogue for more than just an hour or two.

The presentation I offered was entitled, “Spiritual Diversity in Patients: Oh, my g_ds!” In this session, I focused on increasing the participants’ awareness of the increased religious variety in our hospitals and on offering concrete suggestions for interacting respectfully and therapeutically in such a rich culture. In addition, I was asked to be a respondent on several case study panels, discussing situations where spiritual issues had direct impact on patient healthcare outcomes. In all the case study sessions and during my lecture presentation, the participation was eager, collegial and warm.

I hope that next year the Southern Medical Association will again turn to one of our professional chaplain organizations for consultation and participation if they are again able to host such a meeting.

 

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