Elizabeth Meakes

Hope in the Midst of Challenge: Evidence-Based Pastoral Care:

Describes the origins and characteristics of evidence-based pastoral care and utilizes a case with a person with cerebral palsy demonstrating this approach. Draws on evidence from research and critically evaluates evidence. Notes the dynamic relationship between research and clinical practice and makes suggestions about utilizing evidence-based pastoral care in chaplaincy.

Making the most and making sense: ethnographic research on spirituality in palliative care.

Presents ethnographic research on spirituality in palliative care. Reviews the literature and interviews palliative care staff along with their patients. Discovers two dominant themes in the literature and interviews with staff and patients around spirituality: making the most of it now and making sense. Discusses findings and suggests implications for the practice of spiritual care.

Horse of a Different Color: Ethnography of Faith and Disability

Uses the method of microethnography to identify and explore faith and disability themes in 26 disabled persons. Concludes that the faith factor of the disabled person is an essential coping strategy.

Canadian ethnographic study of sources and definitions of theological reflection in pastoral care and counseling.

What are the sources and definitions of theological reflection developed by Canadian practitioners of pastoral care and counseling? This study is part of a larger qualitative research project on theological reflection. This research reviews the literature, describes the ethnographic method, and presents the findings with a sample of 75. Main sources are sacred texts, personal experience, experiences of clients, and traditions of faith group. Definitions are meaning making, discovering the divine and discipleship with recommendations for future research listed.

Quantitative and Qualitative Outcome Research on a Regional Basic Supervised SPE Program

Discusses issues in the evaluation of supervised pastoral education (SPE) programs. Explains four ways of applying triangulation in developing an accurate evaluation of SPE and presents a case study of an SPE program evaluated through triangulation. Offers suggestions about the use of triangulation in SPE program evaluation.

In the Beginning: A Canadian Ethnographic Study on Sources and Definitions of Spiritual Reflection Used by Health Care Professionals Who are Not Chaplains

This qualitative study presents a literature review, methodology, findings and discussion from a sample of 20 health care professional around their experiences of sources and definitions of spiritual reflection. The sample includes nursing, social work, occupational therapy, medicine, physiotherapy, music therapy, psychology and recreational therapy. Major sources are music, poetry, stories and sacred texts. Definitions are meaning making and encountering the divine along with personal reflection on values and assumptions. Limitations of the research and recommendations for education, practice and future research are also presented.

A Canadian Qualitative Study on Theological Reflection in Pastoral Care and Counseling: Importance to Identity and Conversation Partners

ABSTRACT This qualitative study is ethnographic in design. Two questions guide the study. How important is theological reflection to pastoral identity in pastoral care and counseling? With whom do practitioners converse in terms of theological reflection? A review of the literature is outlined and 75 persons are interviewed that include chaplains, pastoral counselors, community clergy and students. Findings indicate that theological reflection is essential to pastoral identity and that participants converse most with clients and colleagues and least with other professionals. Most theological reflection is done privately. Discussion includes limitations and areas for future research.

The Hamilton SPE Evaluation Tool (HSET): is it any good?

Presents the Hamilton Supervised Pastoral Evaluation Tool (HSET). HSET is a self-report that evaluates student learning in a basic SPE unit utilizing six areas: supervisory relationship, personal growth, professional growth, theological reflection, learning context, and overall growth. Reviews statistics involving seven regional units consisting of 18 SPE units with 101 students. Utilizes methodological, investigator, and data triangulation by drawing on qualitative study and CAPPE accreditation review. Discusses strengths and weaknesses of HSET and makes recommendations for further use.

Time spent weekly on theological reflection in pastoral care and counseling: A Canadian ethnographic study

This qualitative research examines how much time is spent in theological reflection in the praxis of pastoral care and counseling. Seventy-five persons were interviewed from four cultures: chaplains, pastoral counselors, community clergy and seminary students who had completed a congregational internship. Seventy participants were from Christian faith groups with five from Muslim, Unitarian and spiritual faith groups. Individual interviews and focus groups were used. Findings showed that seminarians averaged 7.5 hrs/wk, community clergy 7 hr/wk, chaplains 6 hrs/wk and pastoral counselors 4.2 hrs/wk, with many in the sample not able to specify a time. All affirmed that theological reflection is integrated into everything they do in ministry. In discussion of the data, we observed that the goals of ATS and CAPPE around theological reflection are being met. However, the research suggests that developing the discipline of theological reflection requires a specific time per week along with the practice of writing and obtaining new input. We recommend a minimum of four hrs/wk for formal theological reflection. Limitations and areas for future research are presented. Cette recherche qualitative examine combien d’heures s’est passées en toute réflexion théologique faite aux préoccupations de soin pastoral et de consultation pastorale. On avait tenu des entrevues avec soixante-quinze personnes de quatre cultures différentes: des aumôniers, des conseillers pastoraux, des clergés de la communauté et des étudiants du séminaire qui avaient terminé un stage de travaux pratiques congrégationaiste. Soixante-dix participants sortaient des groupes chrétiens de foi avec cinq qui venaient de la communauté des musulmans, de l’église Unitarien et des groupes spirituels de foi. On avait entrepris des entrevues avec des individus et des groupes de choix. Les résultats avaient indiqué que les séminaristes s’occupaient de leur travaux en moyenne de 7.5 heures par semaine; le clergé de la communauté, 7 heures par semaine; les aumôniers, 6 heures par semaine; et les conseillers pastoraux 4.2 heures par semaine avec beaucoup d’entre eux dans l’échantillon qui n’étaient pas capable d’indiquer des heures précises. Tous les gens avaient affirmé que la réflexion théologique était intégrée dans tout ce qu’ils faisaient dans leur travail pastoral. Dans la discussion des données, nous avons observé que les buts de l’ATS et du CAPPE autour de la réflexion théologique avaient été accomplit. Cependant, la recherche suggère que pour développer la discipline de la réflexion théologique on a besoin d’une période spécifique du temps par semaine pour le faire en plus de la pratique de l’écriture et pour obtenir les nouvelles données. Nous recommandons quatre heures par semaine au minimum pour faire de la réflexion théologique formelle. Des limitations et les secteurs pour la recherche dans l’avenir sont présentés.

Understanding, Integration and Transformation: A Canadian Ethnographic Study on the Goals of Theological Reflection in Pastoral Care and Counselling

Summary/Abstract What are the goals of theological reflection in the praxis of pastoral care and counselling in Canada? This qualitative study is ethnographic in design. A review of the literature is presented noting themes especially in the work of Stephen Bevans (2004), Robert Kinast (2000) and Elaine Graham, Heather Walton and Frances Ward (2005). Researchers interviewed 75 participants in four categories: chaplains, pastoral counsellors in the Canadian Association of Pastoral Practice and Education (CAPPE), community clergy, and students after internship in a theological reflection course. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and then coded for themes. Understanding and meaning, integration and transformation emerged as the strongest themes. Our discussion includes the topic of what ought to be normative goals for theological reflection, focusing on the question: ‘Could theological reflection be faith seeking understanding, integration, and transformation equally?’