In order to actively shape the future of the chaplaincy profession in healthcare, the associations of Catholic and Protestant chaplaincy in German-speaking Switzerland are joining forces to form the professional association of chaplaincy in healthcare. The goal is an active dialogue with the regional churches, the associations of other health care professions and the universities. The quality of pastoral care is the focus. The path leads through the networking of pastoral caregivers throughout Switzerland.
On August 30, 2021, the general assemblies of the associations of Catholic and Protestant chaplains in German-speaking Switzerland unanimously decided to join together to form a Swiss professional association for chaplaincy in health care (BSG). The goal is to jointly develop the professional image of chaplaincy in health care. The professional association of chaplains in the health care sector wants to establish a dialogue with the regional churches, the associations of other health care professions and the universities and develop quality standards for chaplaincy. Chaplains working in the health care sector should also be recognized as a profession in their own right within the church. The professional association is interdenominationally oriented and strives for a nationwide networking of chaplains in the health care sector across language borders. The BSG represents the interests of chaplains vis-à-vis churches, hospitals, homes and other institutions from the healthcare sector and politics. It develops the quality standards of pastoral care and specialized spiritual care according to the latest scientific findings and promotes the exchange of experience and networking among pastoral care providers. The BSG participates in the creation and review of standards that are valid throughout Switzerland. This defines the qualifications required of chaplains, the conditions of employment, as well as the criteria for training and continuing education and specialized spiritual care.
Source: Professional Association for Pastoral Care in Health Care (BSG-APA).
InFo NEUROLOGY & PSYCHIATRY 2022; 20(2): 37.
