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The Feasibility and Educational Value of Hear My Voice, a Chaplain-Led Spiritual Life Review Process for Patients with Brain Cancers and Progressive Neurologic Conditions

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Abstract

Research continues to establish the importance of spirituality for many persons with medical illnesses. This paper describes a pilot study titled, “Hear My Voice,” designed to provide an opportunity for persons with progressive neurologic illnesses, including brain tumors and other neurodegenerative diseases, to review and discuss their spirituality with a board-certified chaplain, and to prepare a spiritual legacy document (SLD). First, we provide background information that underscores the importance of such a project for this patient population that is particularly vulnerable to cognitive impairment and communication difficulties. Second, we provide detailed methodology, including the semi-structured interview format used, the development of the SLD, and an overview of responses from participants and investigators. We also describe the quantitative and qualitative approaches to analysis taken with the aim of developing scientific validation in support of the Hear My Voice project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chaplain Services, Mayo Clinic, EI-2-130, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Katherine M. Piderman, Laura A. Lovejoy, Dean V. Marek, Heidi L. Durland, Spence W. Swanson, James T. Hogg, John L. Evans & Scott E. Jorgenson

  2. Department of Health Sciences Research, Division of Healthcare Policy and Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Carmen Radecki Breitkopf

  3. Department of Health Sciences Research, Division of Biostatistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Sarah M. Jenkins

  4. Department of Oncology, Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Yvette M. Dulohery & Aminah Jatoi

  5. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Debra L. Head

  6. Mayo School of Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Laura J. Bunkowski, Karl L. Jones & Timothy J. Yoder

  7. Mayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Terin T. Euerle, Gracia M. Kwete, Keith A. Miller & Jacob R. Morris

  8. Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Maria I. Lapid

Authors
  1. Katherine M. Piderman
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  2. Carmen Radecki Breitkopf
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  3. Sarah M. Jenkins
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  4. Laura A. Lovejoy
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  5. Yvette M. Dulohery
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  6. Dean V. Marek
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  7. Heidi L. Durland
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  8. Debra L. Head
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  9. Spence W. Swanson
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  10. James T. Hogg
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  11. John L. Evans
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  12. Scott E. Jorgenson
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  13. Laura J. Bunkowski
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  14. Karl L. Jones
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  15. Terin T. Euerle
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  16. Gracia M. Kwete
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  17. Keith A. Miller
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  18. Jacob R. Morris
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  19. Timothy J. Yoder
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  20. Maria I. Lapid
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  21. Aminah Jatoi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Katherine M. Piderman.

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Piderman, K.M., Radecki Breitkopf, C., Jenkins, S.M. et al. The Feasibility and Educational Value of Hear My Voice, a Chaplain-Led Spiritual Life Review Process for Patients with Brain Cancers and Progressive Neurologic Conditions. J Canc Educ 30, 209–212 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-014-0686-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-014-0686-y

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