Research
This page provides information on spiritual care research resources and papers. It will also guide you through the process for using the Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM).
UK organisations promoting research in spiritual care and chaplaincy
European organisations promoting research in spiritual care and chaplaincy
USA organisations promoting research in spiritual care and chaplaincy
Background
There is common acceptance that healthcare chaplains and spiritual care providers should be research- informed, and Scotland Chaplains are ‘internationally known for their innovative practice and research’ 1 . The UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy, Spiritual Care competences for Healthcare Chaplains states that ‘spiritual care services initiate, support, and contribute to research within the healthcare setting, e.g. local research projects, multi-site research projects and national research projects’2. Not all practitioners will want to be researchers. However, they need to be able to read and interpret current research and apply the findings of good research to their own practice. Exploring and articulating the relationship between spirituality and health through research has become something of an urgent priority, as traditional paradigms in healthcare come under scrutiny and budgets become tighter.
References:
1. Scottish Government. Discovering meaning, purpose and hope through person centred wellbeing and spiritual care: framework.. [internet] 22nd June 2023 [cited 2026, April, 29] 4.0.3. Availabe from: Discovering meaning, purpose and hope through person centred wellbeing and spiritual care: framework - gov.scot
2. UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy [internet] Standards for Spiritual Care Services 2020, Standard 5 Education, training and research. 5.6 2026 [cited 2026, April, 29] Available from: Standard Statement
Research network
The NHS Education for Scotland research network was formed in 2019 following an introductory course in research methodology which was aimed primarily at spiritual care staff across Scotland. The aim of the network is to help establish a research culture within spiritual care and chaplaincy, providing a strong evidence base for the profession. It also provides continuing support and encouragement for those working in the field, to maintain their interest and involvement in research. Whilst the research network is presently on hold, it has met at various times throughout the year on-line since its inception, enabling the sharing of ideas and experience.
Positive outcomes have emerged from the research group that include:
- Individuals in the group benefitting from peer support.
- An interest has arisen in being part of a newly extended UK-wide journal club, encouraging healthcare chaplains and others engaged in spiritual care, to explore research in the field, through the reading and discussing of peer-reviewed journal articles.
- NES commissioned an important piece of research into the support offered to NHS staff by spiritual care teams across Scotland in 2023. This research was undertaken by a group from within the research network, thus providing a significant learning and coaching experience for young researchers
- An in-person Staff Wellbeing in Focus conference in March 2026 which was inspired by the recommendations that emerged from the above piece of research.
UK organisations promoting research in spiritual care and chaplaincy
College of Healthcare Chaplains (CHCC) https://www.healthcarechaplains.org/
CHCC members have free online access to Health and Social Care Chaplaincy. Instructions on how to register for access are in the Members Area (requires log in to view).
Council of Professional Chaplains and Pastoral Carers The Council for Professional Chaplains and Pastoral Carers - CPCPC
The UK Wide Research First Digital Journal Club, The links below will take you to articles previously discussed in the Club. You will also see video introductions to articles that might generate research-related discussions among local teams.
CPD Resources - College of Health Care Chaplains
This page also has links to CPD Resources including The Narrative, a free monthly email for health and social care chaplaincy supported, amongst others, by the CHCC, and information about Pop-up Reflective Practice sessions.
European organisations promoting research in spiritual care and chaplaincy
European Research Institute for Chaplains in Healthcare (ERICH)
European Research Institute for Chaplains in Healthcare (ERICH) European Research Institute for Chaplains in Healthcare (ERICH) - Elisabeth - Pastoralezorg.be
ERICH is part of the KU Leuven, Belgium and is hosted by the Academic Centre for Practical Theology (ACPT). ERICH works closely with the European Network of Health Care Chaplaincy (ENCHCC)
Article about the birth of ERICH –
Ewan, K. & Vandenhoeck A. (2017). The Birth of a European Research Institute for Chaplains in Healthcare (ERICH): Initiated by Chaplains for the Promotion of Research by Chaplains, Health and Social Care Chaplaincy 5 (2), 297-305.
European Network of Health Care Chaplaincy European Network of Health Care Chaplaincy (ENCHCC)
USA organisations promoting research in spiritual care and chaplaincy
United States of Americahttps://www.transformchaplaincy.org/contact/
Journals
The journals, ‘Health and Social Care chaplaincy’ https://journal.equinoxpub.com/HSCC/ and ‘Journal of Healthcare Chaplaincy’ https://www.professionalchaplains.org/content.asp?pl=104&sl=108&contentid=108 are excellent sources of up-to-date spiritual care research.
Here is a list, with some links to articles and book titles, which illustrate the breadth of recent research interests.
Chaplaincy and the Soul of Health and Social Care, Editors John Swinton and Ewan Kelly, chapter 13 on The Scottish PROM
https://uk.jkp.com/products/chaplaincy-and-the-soul-of-health-and-social-care
Charting Spiritual Care: The Emerging Role of Chaplaincy Records in Global Health Care, Simon Peng-Keller and David Neuhold Editors,
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-47070-8
Csaba Szilagyi, Amanda K. Borchik, Claire Twose & Anne Vandenhoeck (2026) Chaplains’ collaboration and leadership in interprofessional healthcare: a scoping review part 1: Multifaceted roles, Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy, 32:2, 109-139, DOI: 10.1080/08854726.2025.2563473 Available at
https://doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2025.2563473
Csaba Szilagyi, Amanda K. Borchik, Claire Twose & Anne Vandenhoeck (2026) Chaplains’ collaboration and leadership in interprofessional healthcare: a scoping review part 2: Influencing factors, Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy, 32:2, 140-165, DOI: 10.1080/08854726.2025.2563474 Available at
https://doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2025.2563474
Keys to Knowledge: Searching and Reviewing the Literature Relevant to Chaplaincy Kevin J. Flannelly, Katherine R. B. Jankowski, Helen P. Tannenbaum
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10999183.2011.10767418
Snowden, A., Fitchett, G., Grossoehme, D. H., Handzo, G., Kelly, E., King, S. D. W., … Flannelly, K. J. (2017). An International Study of Chaplains’ Attitudes about Research. Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy.
https://doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2016.1250556
Snowden, A., Gibbon, A., & Grant, R. (2019). What is the impact of Chaplaincy in Primary Care? The GP perspective. Health and Social Care Chaplaincy, in press. Retrieved from
https://journals.equinoxpub.com/index.php/HSCC/article/view/34709
Swinton, J. (2013). A question of identity: What does it mean for chaplains to become healthcare professionals? Scottish Journal of Healthcare Chaplaincy, 6(2), 2–8.
What Did Chaplains Do During the Covid Pandemic? An International Survey Austyn Snowden
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1542305021992039
Videos
The UK Chaplains' Research Digest interview with George Fitchett: George Fitchett
Skinner M et al: How do healthcare chaplaincy spiritual care interventions support adults’ mental health by integrating health and social care? A review of primary research studies published in English 2010-2019. Health and Social Care Chaplaincy, 10(1), 27–49. doi.org/10.1558/hscc.20588
Click here for the Video
Schuhmann CM et al (2021) Humanist chaplaincy according to Northwestern European Humanist Chaplains: Towards a framework for understanding chaplaincy in secular societies. Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy, 27(4), 207-221. doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2020.1723190
Click here for the Video
Sprik, P, et al, (2021) Feasibility and acceptability of a telephone-based chaplaincy intervention in a large, outpatient oncology center. Supportive Care Cancer 29(3), 1275-1285. doi.org/10.1007/s00520-020-05598-4
Click here for the Video
Research training
Here you will find training resources and information on training produced and delivered by NHS Education for Scotland and external training available.
An Introduction to Qualitative Research in Spiritual Care (2021)
A introductory course in qualitative research for healthcare chaplains, spiritual care providers and health and social care professionals with an interest in spiritual care research. This professional learning experience was delivered online over six weeks and introduced participants to a broad range of qualitative research skills as they worked through the stages of developing a research idea through to full proposal.
The course intentionally aimed to connect and encourage a network of research-interested chaplains, spiritual care providers and other healthcare professionals across Scotland and Ireland with a view to strengthening the evidence base for spiritual care theory and practice in healthcare.
This course was aimed at beginner researchers who have an interest in conducting high quality research but need the confidence and support to get started. It is also a suitable refresher for early-stage researchers working on a project with a qualitative dimension. The long-term hope of this course was to encourage and equip Scottish and Irish chaplains to undertake research that could, in time, be suitable for peer-reviewed publication and thus add to the evidence base for spiritual care in NHS Scotland and beyond.
The course was designed and delivered by Dr Suzanne Bunniss, using a range of learning methods including presented lecture material, relevant reading, small group discussion, practical exercises and individual support. Through the course sessions, as well as guided weekly home study exercises, participants were introduced to the following elements of qualitative research:
• Formulating a research question
• Introduction to research philosophy
• Study design and ethical considerations
• How to approach a literature review
• Understanding qualitative data collection methods (including interviews, focus groups and observation)
• Approaches to data analysis and interpretation
• How to plan for write up and dissemination
Participants worked towards the following learning outcomes:
1. an introductory understanding of the key elements of qualitative research
2. an increased confidence in designing, conducting and interpreting qualitative research in healthcare
3. a completed research proposal that could be taken forward into a real-life research study
The course led to the formation of a Research Network to provide ongoing mutual support and encouragement for those engaged in spiritual care research. Conversations with colleagues in both N Ireland and England have, in turn, led to the establishment of a UK-wide Journal Club (Research First Journal Club).