Chaplain Fred D. Wilcoxson, Ph.D., on discharge rounds that are a blessing

The Importance of Presence – Even During Rounds

Why should chaplains participate in discharge rounds? In my hospital discharge rounds are held three days a week, from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. I am a one-chaplain pastoral care department; couldn’t my time be better spent? After nearly two years of attending these rounds I can answer my own question with a loud and resounding “No, it is not time misspent.”

Discharge rounds take me to every inpatient unit in the hospital. This means that every week I touch all of the nursing staff, much of the medical support staff, numerous physicians, case managers, social workers, plus anyone else who happens to be present. I take the spiritual temperature of each unit, down to the individual. Over time, I began to find that if I was absent from rounds, nurses and others would tell me that they missed my presence at the meeting, the operative word there being “presence.” The chaplain’s ministry of presence extends much farther than with patients and families in crisis. Although there are many sessions where I do not say a word, the presence of the Living G_d that I bring with me is felt.

It validates that I am true member of the healthcare team. My input is readily accepted and anticipated.

Additionally, there are often staff that “catch” me after the meeting. I used to think that was due to a convenient circumstance. However, I have learned that in many cases it was a planned meeting on their part. They knew when I would be there. These concomitant meetings can range from help with a course in school to serious counseling, and questions of faith are not uncommon. Regardless, it always involves listening carefully to their story.

Being present in a structured way also lends itself to the building of relationships. I gain the trust of the staff, many of who are without a faith background and/or are unchurched. I frequently become the only contact they have in a spiritual or religious sense. This leads to requests for assistance in finding a religious community for them, pre-marital counseling, as well as locating clergy for marriage, baptism, and funerals. Staff also learn that it is okay to just drop by my office and talk.

Careful listening to case presentations at rounds also leads to opportunities to intervene with patients and families who otherwise would not come to my attention. Nurse referrals are often initiated in this venue.

G_d never wastes a second of our time. When we are available to his leading, staff, patients, and families will be led to us, or us to them. I no longer view discharge rounds as a chore. Discharge rounds for me are a blessing and an opportunity that I look forward to every week.

Do you have thoughts about professional practice you’d like to share with your colleagues? Send an e-mail info@PlainViews.org.