Title : Prayer circles and the perception of work environment
Abstract:
Purpose: Spiritual care for healthcare providers has been vital for stress reduction and cohesiveness among professionals. Following an oncology patient’s difficult death in the fall of 2016, a small group of healthcare members decided to meet for a brief group prayer prior to the start of the day shift. The group prayer gathering continued as attendees wanted to continue this brief morning prayer. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to identify how group prayer may have influenced healthcare workers’ perceptions regarding the work environment.
Methods: A convenience sample of 27 healthcare team members took part in the project over a 1-month period. The data was gathered with a 10-item questionnaire, voluntarily completed after the experience. The information was reviewed and analyzed by the research team. This study was approved by an associated university’s institutional review board and the hospital review board.
Results: Significant findings emerged regarding the positive psychological and emotional experiences of those who participated in the project. Data also indicated that the timing of the group prayer was important.
Conclusion: Prayer is a valuable tool for healthcare team members as a part of self-care. It may contribute to better employee relationships, cohesive working groups, and enhanced patient care.
