Hand injuries--the chaplain's role in holistic patient care

In this article, the emotional and pastoral needs of patients with hand injuries were evaluated in a hospital setting. Representative cases were used to illustrate patients' reactions to their inner conflicts. Over a 3-month period, 65 patients were seen: 42 with acute trauma and 23 with chronic hand surgery problems. Many of these patients expressed a need for emotional and pastoral support. The chaplain directed the hand surgery team in assisting individuals to deal with these issues.