How Many Chaplains Per 100 Inpatients? Benchmarks of Health Care Chaplaincy Departments

Abstract

Reports the results of a questionnaire survey of a sample of chaplaincy departments directors (N=370) designed to answer the following questions: How many chaplains do various types of hospitals employ per 100 inpatients? What is the relationship between the number of employed chaplains and departmental Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) programs? How much effort do departments give to outpatient ministry? What percentage of ministry do volunteer chaplains provide? Provides tentative answers to inform the strategic planning processes of chaplains and administrators.