The Role, Relationship and Responsibility in meeting the needs of Pastoral Care in the Rural Setting on the Frontlines of Compassion

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank my supervisors, friends and family, without their support this research study would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I adjudge that the entire content of this dissertation is entirely my own work; the content used in this dissertation has not been submitted before in any educational institution and represents my own opinion.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

This study highlights the role, responsibilities of pastoral care in rural areas based on the frontlines of compassion. During the course of preparing this study, it came to limelight that compassionate pastoral care is also known as spiritual care. Thus, the study has greatly emphasized upon this particular notion. Moreover, from the discussion of this study it is surmised that pastoral care can be governed on the grounds of compassion, however, in order for its proper provision, the authorities must play their role in aiding and resolving the issues faced by the pastoral care providers.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTii

DECLARATIONiii

ABSTRACTiv

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

Understanding Pastoral Care3

Problem statement5

Significance of the study5

Research aims and objectives5

Research aims5

Research objectives6

Research questions6

Rationale & Justification of the study7

Definitions of Key Terms8

Delimitations of scope and key assumptions10

Summary of Thesis10

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW12

Introduction12

Challenges facing Rural Caregivers13

Different Pastoral Care Approaches16

Psychology:17

Critique of the Trends18

Pastoral and Palliative care18

Importance of Palliative Care19

Other side of Pastoral Care20

Role of Pastoral Care22

Responsibilities of Pastoral Care23

The role of spiritual conversation in pastoral care25

A Pastoral Theology about Care and Leadership28

Responsibilities of Pastoral Care in Rural Settings32

Characteristics of Rural Communities32

Relationship of meeting the needs of Pastoral Care in Rural Settings33

Needs of Pastoral Care in Rural Settings35

Summary37

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY39

Introduction39

Research Aims and Objectives39

Research aims39

Research objectives39

Research questions40

Research Methodology40

Research Design43

Literature Search43

Discussion and Analysis43

Weaknesses, Limitations and Constraints of the Research Methods44

Limitations45

Ethical considerations45

Using keywords46

Summary46

CHAPTER 4: ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION47

Introduction47

Compassionate Care47

Spirituality in Health Care50

Advantages54

Features of Spiritual Care55

True value of Spiritual Care57

Summary58

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS59

WORKS CITED66

The Role, Relationship and Responsibility in meeting the needs of Pastoral Care in the Rural Setting on the Frontlines of Compassion

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Puchalski (2001) notes that the technological advances in the past century has changed the focus or perception of medicinal care's service oriented model to a more cure oriented one, which is driven by technology. It is all because of the credit of the latter that advances in medical science have been made, which have led to the advent of technologies and procedures that both enhances the health and life quality of a patient. However, in the past few decades, doctors have increasingly been focusing and studying the spiritual roots of medicine that pre-dominantly is composed of spiritual care. Thus, compassionate or spiritual care is said to involve serving or caring for an individual holistically or their whole being composing of their emotional, physical, social and spiritual needs. This form of service or care is often termed as spiritual or compassionate care. Caring for patients through this approach involves spending a great deal of time with them, listening and consoling them holding their hands and emphasizing ...