Abstract:
This dissertation sought to unearth patients’ perception about the role of chaplaincy in the healthcare delivery system. It also aims to evidence how responding to the spiritual needs of patients contribute to their healing as recognized by the WHO when it stated that aside the physical, mental and social dimension of health, attending to patients’ spiritual health can impact greatly on the overall health and happiness of the Individual.
In addition, the study tried to explore the religious/spiritual needs of patients when they are ill and how addressing these needs could speed up their healing process. Finally the study sought to explore the emotional and physical needs of patients vis-a-vis chaplains’ presence in hospitals. The study was a mixed method made up quantitative survey using self-administered questionnaires and qualitative method using In-depth Interviews (IDIs). Pentecost Hospital, Madina provided the geographical context of the study. The dissertation was based on 150 semi-structures questionnaires with an in-depth interview of 10 patients. The quantitative data were analysed using Stata software whiles the qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Overall, the findings from this study suggest that patients perceive the role of the hospital chaplain to be an important part of quality care delivery and should be encouraged or made an integral part of healthcare delivery system in Ghana.
