Competencies for Spiritual Care Professionals Specializing in Palliative and Bereavement Care in Canada: A Mixed-Methods Study Using Qualitative Interviews and Modified Delphi Survey

The purpose of this project was to update competencies for spiritual care professionals specializing in palliative and bereavement care in Canada. Phase one feedback was obtained from 11 clients: six inpatients with greater than two weeks of life expectancy using interviews and five bereaved family members in a focus group. Results were analyzed for congruence or discordance with draft competencies. In phase two, 22 spiritual care experts reached a consensus on nine competencies using a modified Delphi survey. Two limitations were the small sample size and cultural and religious homogeneity of participants.