SchneiderWeb

Having spent four weeks working as a chaplain and discussing my experiences with the other chaplains during our group time, I've learned that this clinical pastoral education program is really not about the patients but is about me. It's about determining what my fears and needs are, what causes me to enter or avoid a room, and what makes me interact with a patient the way I do. Much of this self discovery comes during the presentation of case reports. Each of the chaplains presents a report of a patient visit that includes a verbatim--a word-for-word account of the dialogue between the patient and the chaplain--and a theological reflection of the visit. It's fascinating to watch a chaplain present his case before the group, certain of what he experienced, and then to have each of the other chaplains offer their feedback, analyzing and questioning the presenter, compelling him to confront his prejudices, fears, needs, whatever the case may be. It has happened to me and I ...