Browsing by Author "Muehlhausen, Beth L."

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    Dual Degree Programs in Social Work and Divinity: Graduates' Experiences of Journey Companions
    (2010-07-21T19:40:41Z) Muehlhausen, Beth L.; Adamek, Margaret E.; Byers, Katharine V.; Caucci, Frank; Sloan, Rebecca S.
    There is a growing trend for graduate schools of social work to offer students the option of receiving dual degrees, which gives students the ability to obtain a Master of Social Work (MSW) along with a second graduate degree in less time than it would take to complete each degree individually. As of 2005, there were approximately 30 different types of degrees that could be combined with graduate studies in social work--one of which is a Master of Divinity (M.Div.). Very little is known about the effectiveness of such programs and the experiences of graduates completing them. The aim of this study was to describe the lived experiences of persons receiving an MSW and an M.Div. from dual degree programs. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) includes religious and spiritual beliefs in its definition of culturally competent practice within the code of ethics. Dual degree graduates are trained to engage in culturally competent practice by virtue of being extensively trained in the cultural context of the church through their M.Div. degree and extensively trained in the context of social work service delivery though their MSW degree. Dual degree programs in social work and divinity are quite timely given that 96% of Americans say they believe in God or a universal spirit. Phenomenology seeks to understand a particular phenomenon from the point of view of those who have experienced it. With this in mind, this study reports the findings resulting from interviews conducted with 16 graduates regarding their experiences while in a dual degree program. One of the key phenomenological patterns that emerged in all the interviews conducted was that dual degree graduates want “journey companions,” i.e. persons who share their worldview.
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    Patients' and Loved Ones' Expectations of Chaplain Services
    (Taylor & Francis, 2022) Muehlhausen, Beth L.; Foster, Todd; Smith, Aaron H.; Fitchett, George; Graduate Medical Education, School of Medicine
    A study assessing the expectations patients and loved ones have of hospital chaplains was conducted at Ascension St. Vincent Indiana hospitals. In-person interviews were conducted with 452 patients and loved ones during an inpatient stay. The survey instrument was a modified version of a survey developed by Dr. Katherine Piderman of the Mayo Clinic. Participants answered questions regarding demographics, awareness of availability, expectations of visits, reasons for wanting to see a chaplain and gave feedback regarding visits if they had seen a chaplain. Results showed that patients and loved ones value chaplains with 93% saying they wanted a chaplain visit. This study was unique in seeking feedback from loved ones as well as patients. It may be equally important to reach out to loved ones during times of crisis when patients themselves are in surgery or sedated and loved ones are experiencing heightened anxiety.