Patients’ Perceptions of Clinical Pastoral Care in Healthcare Facilities in Bunia City

This study explored hospitalized patients’ perceptions of clinical pastoral care in
healthcare facilities in Bunia and its impact on their spiritual, emotional, and moral well-being.
Using an exploratory ethnographical method, data were collected through semi-structured
interviews with 30 patients selected via purposive sampling until data saturation was achieved.
Interviews lasted 20 to 40 minutes, were conducted with informed consent, and analyzed
thematically to identify recurring perceptions and individual experiences.
Findings reveal that pastoral care is generally perceived positively. Patients associate
prayer with joy, comfort, and spiritual upliftment, sometimes linked to experiences of healing.
Chaplains are regarded as mediators of the divine Word, fostering a close connection with the
sacred and reinforcing spiritual faith. Participants emphasized the importance of frequent and
accessible communication, while noting challenges such as limited availability, insufficient
personnel, and behaviors perceived as lacking empathy. Pastoral support encompasses prayer,
intercession, and emotional and moral guidance, contributing to the restoration of hope,
strengthening of faith, and promotion of spiritual, and occasionally physical, healing.
These results highlight the importance of systematically integrating pastoral care within
hospital services. Regular chaplain availability and tailored spiritual support aligned with
patients’ individual needs can enhance hope, resilience, and overall well-being. Such
integration supports a more holistic healthcare experience and provides effective emotional and
spiritual assistance, helping patients navigate illness with greater confidence and comfort.
Keywords: Perception, hospitalized patients, support, clinical pastoral care, healthcare
facilities, Bunia.