Linguistic and Listening Dimensions of FACT as a Tool for Assessing Spiritual Needs in an Acute Care Setting

Our understanding of health care chaplaincy practices continue to evolve in matters having to do with spiritual screening, histories and assessments. FACT, an acronym titled spiritual assessment tool, has been designed for chaplaincy use in acute care settings. Within the aforenoted FACT dynamics there is room for emphasis on linguistic variables. Language frames thought and so the language we use serves to frame the thoughts we process. It is subtle but it is concretely vivid. It is helpful to consider this phenomenon within the context of the hospital setting. It is important for expressions of caring to be offered in language which is understood by the patient. That is, the chaplain needs to gauge the level of understanding which the patient is capable of and converse with the patient in a manner that is easily understood by the patient. The chaplain needs to consistently consider if his/her language level is appropriate for the receiver. The chaplain’s communicative role involves a ministry of dialogue. This makes language usage especially relevant. If the receiver is not familiar with the terminology used by the sender he/she has little to rely on regarding the interpretation of meaning, except contextual cues. The accuracy of these contextual cues may or may not be reliable. Thus, chaplain sensitivity with patient language norms is pivotal to his/her success in providing counsel.